SC Confirms Life Imprisonment Awarded To Acid-Attack Accused [Read Order]

The Supreme Court on Wednesday confirmed life imprisonment awarded to a man accused in an acid-attack case.

The woman, who was attacked in this case, had been working as a receptionist in a hospital in Karnataka. One of the accused in this case, Vasantharaj, was pestering her to marry him. One day, he along with his friend (Suresh), came in front of her and threw acid first of all on her shoulder and then on her face and ear. Her head and face were totally disfigured and her right ear was permanently damaged.

Both of them were convicted under Section 307 IPC and Section 324 IPC and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life. The high court confirmed the conviction. The SLP filed by Vasantharaj was dismissed in 2016.

Upholding the conviction of Suresh, the bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice KM Joseph observed: “Even if we have to look for a motive for the crime which the law does not mandate such motive is clearly established from the evidence of P.W.1. We find no reason whatsoever to disbelieve P.W.1, who is the victim of the acid attack.”

The accused’s counsel submitted that the sentence of life imprisonment is excessive and a lesser sentence be imposed keeping in mind the accused has been in custody for last 13 years.

Rejecting this submission, the court said: “Having regard to the nature of the attack, the corrosive substance used and the permanent disfiguration caused and the imminent threat to the life of the victim we are of the view that the ends of justice require the Court to impose the sentence of life imprisonment on the accused-appellant.”