Bombay High Court approves death penalty for father and son in multiple murder case | Mumbai news

Mumbai: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, while confirming death sentences for a father and son convicted of murdering four family members, also acquitted a third accused. The court ruled that brutal murders stemming from a property dispute met the “least rare” standard for the death penalty.

The convicts, Haribhau Telgote, 66, and his son Shyam, 35, were found guilty of killing four of their relatives in a violent clash on June 28, 2015. The attack cost the lives of Baburao Sukhdev Chaharte (60) and Dhanraj Sukhdev Chaharte (50). Gaurav Dhanraj Chaharte, 19 and Shubham Dhanraj Chaharte, 17.

The murders stemmed from a dispute over 29 acres of ancestral land in Malpura village. Victims Dhanraj and Baburao’s sister Dwarkabai had tried to get her share of the property through a partition suit; This frequently led to fights and ultimately resulted in fatal attacks.

Additional Sessions Judge Akot had first convicted Haribhau, his wife Dwarkabai (55) and their son Shyam on May 17, 2024, under Sections 302 (murder) and 506 (criminal intimidation) read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code. (common intention). They were sentenced to death penalty for murder and seven years’ imprisonment for criminal intimidation.

The prosecution’s claim was supported by numerous eyewitnesses and forensic evidence. Dr. who performed the autopsy. Anil Mal confirmed that each victim suffered multiple fatal injuries from sharp and heavy weapons, inflicting deep cuts in vital areas including the neck, chest and abdomen.

Defense counsel argued that the defendant acted in self-defense, citing Haribhau’s injuries and claiming that Shubham and the other victims were armed. He also argued that Dwarkabai’s involvement in the attack was minimal, pointing to inconsistencies in witness statements regarding his involvement.

The division bench comprising Justices Vinay Joshi and Abhay J. Mantri conducted a detailed review of witness statements, evidence and medical reports. While the court found sufficient grounds to uphold the death sentences awarded to Haribhau and Shyam, it found significant inconsistencies regarding Dwarkabai’s direct involvement, which led to his acquittal.

In their ruling, the judges emphasized that the evidence showed both the brutality and calculated nature of the attack. The court ruled that the intentional killings of four family members warranted the death penalty, meeting the “most rare” criteria set by legal precedent.