A sessions court in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for one of the most gruesome domestic murders reported in recent years. The beheading of his wife and parading through their village with her severed head.

The verdict was pronounced on Friday by Sessions Judge Pratima Srivastava, bringing closure to a case that had shocked the entire state last year.

The Crime That Stunned a Village

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on February 16, 2024, in Bhuliganj village under the Masouli police station limits. The convict, Anil Kumar, a resident of Basara village, allegedly slit the throat of his wife Vandana with a sharp cleaver in a fit of rage following a heated argument.

Eyewitnesses told the police that immediately after the murder, Anil roamed the narrow lanes of the village carrying Vandana’s severed head in one hand and the blood-soaked weapon in the other, as stunned villagers watched in horror.

The horrifying act took place in front of the couple’s two minor children, who were later rescued by neighbours and handed over to their maternal grandfather.

Harassment and Domestic Disputes

During the investigation, Vandana’s father, Lal Bahadur, lodged an FIR at the Fatehpur police station, alleging that his daughter had been subjected to continuous harassment and false accusations by Anil.
“She was tortured almost daily. He used to accuse her of disloyalty and often assaulted her,” Lal Bahadur stated in his complaint.

The police arrested Anil soon after the incident and recovered the murder weapon. A detailed charge sheet was filed within weeks, citing strong forensic evidence and multiple eyewitness accounts.

Court’s Verdict and Punishment

After a year-long trial, District Government Counsel (Criminal) Amit Awasthi confirmed that the court found Anil guilty under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for murder. Judge Srivastava sentenced him to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹25,000.

“The brutality of the act and the public display of the crime left no room for leniency,” said Awasthi after the judgment.

Echoes of a Similar Crime in Bengaluru

This case mirrors another shocking incident reported from Bengaluru in June 2024, where a man named Shankar beheaded his wife Manasa over suspicions of infidelity and then surrendered at a police station holding her severed head.

Both incidents have reignited a nationwide debate over domestic violence and mental health awareness, highlighting the urgent need for stronger family intervention and counselling mechanisms.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share