Supreme Court Stays Death Sentence Of Man Convicted For Rape-Murder Of Engineering Student

The Supreme Court today stayed the death sentence of a man convicted for the rape and murder of a 19-year old engineering student in Jharkhand.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Pankaj Mithal and Ujjal Bhuyan passed the order, in the convict's challenge to a Jharkhand High Court order whereby his death sentence was confirmed.

As per prosecution case, the deceased victim had gone to attend college on the fateful day. She returned home but was alone during the night. The next morning, neighbors discovered her body in burnt condition. Father of the victim suspected attempted rape and murder, and on his complaint, a case was registered by local police. During investigation, matter was handed over to CBI. It was found that the petitioner had been stalking the victim. The post mortem examination report revealed that the victim was raped and murdered by strangulating with data cable and electric wire. On the basis of DNA report, the identity of the petitioner was established as assailant.

The trial court convicted the petitioner under Sections 302, 376, 449, and 201 of IPC and sentenced him to death. In appeal, the Jharkhand High Court confirmed the conviction and sentence. Notably, the High Court remarked in its order: "We will fail the victim and the society if capital punishment is not awarded in such cases. Horrendous act of the appellant demands capital punishment under Section 302 of the IPC".

Challenging the High Court order, the petitioner approached the Supreme Court.

Case Title: RAHUL KUMAR @ RAHUL RAJ @ RAJ SRIVASTAVA @ ROCKY RAJ @ ARYAN @ ANKIT vs. STATE OF JHARKHAND, Diary No. - 56166/2024