Accused was a 22-Year-Old B.SC. student at the time of incident, and used to impart tuitions in the town of Lahar and in the village where he used to live. He had no prior criminal history. Trial Court awarded Death Sentence. Learned Senior Counsel Sanjay R. Hegde drew attention to the fact he was just a 22-Year-Old.

“Accused had no criminal history and he was a B.SC. student at the time of the incident. Courts below have not considered the aspect of possibility of reform or rehabilitation. The probability that he would commit criminal acts of violence in the future is not forthcoming from the record. Undoubtedly, the offence committed deserves serious condemnation and is the most heinous crime, but on considering the cumulative facts and circumstances of the case, we do not think the instant case falls in the category of the ‘rarest of rare’ cases, and we feel somewhat reluctant in endorsing the Death Sentence. Life Imprisonment; 30 Years – No Remission.”

– Hon’bles Judges N.V. Ramana, Mohan M. Shantanagoudar & Indira Banerjee, Parsuram v. State of Madhya Pradesh, [Criminal Appeal Nos. 314-315 of 2013].