A court in Maharashtra`s Thane District has sentenced a 43-year-old man to life imprisonment for brutally attacking his wife and son with a sickle six years ago, news agency PTI reported. Additional Session Judge GG Bhansali observed that the 28 injuries sustained by the wife were inconsistent with the defence’s claim that they occurred after she fell by the kitchen rack.
The incident, which occurred on October 26, 2019, left the man’s wife, Vaijayanti Patil, unconscious for nearly 40 days. She suffered 28 life-threatening injuries, including multiple skull fractures and brain injuries.
Judge Bhansali, in the order passed on October 4 but made public on Monday, stated that the nature of the injuries, the weapon used, and the severity of the blows confirmed the accused’s intent, PTI reported.
The assault took place in the kitchen of the couple’s home in Thane.
The woman’s husband, Pramod, who was unemployed and a regular liquor addict, used to physically abuse his wife regularly, PTI reported, citing the court order. On the night of the attack, Pramod followed his wife into the kitchen and attacked her with a sickle typically used to cut fish, the prosecution stated.
When his younger son, Pruthvi, tried to intervene and save his mother, he was also struck with the sickle and sustained injuries to his hand and forehead. Pruthvi’s testimony was key to the case, detailing how he was struck twice while trying to protect his mother.
The prosecution presented strong evidence, including the recovery of the sickle, blood-stained clothes of Patil, Pramod, and Pruthvi, and blood stains on the walls and floor of the house, which corroborated the charges.
The defence, however, argued that Patil’s injuries were caused by a fall on a sharp utensil rack in the kitchen, and that Pruthvi’s injuries occurred while playing on the ground.
Rejecting the defence’s argument, the court firmly stated, “28 injuries sustained to the victim cannot be possible by falling on the ground or on any utensil rack of the kitchen.”
The court further noted, “Pruthvi Patil is another victim, younger son of the accused, who had intervened to save his mother from the clutches and different blows of the accused. He is injured and an eyewitness.”
Judge Bhansali also emphasised that the accused’s intention could be clearly inferred from the nature of the injuries, the weapon used, and the severity of the blows.
Despite Pramod’s plea for leniency, citing his improved conduct in jail, the court found no reason to grant mercy.
“It is well settled that the court should operate a sentencing system that reflects the conscience of society,” the judge said.
“Undue sympathy to impose an inadequate sentence would do more harm to the justice system and undermine public confidence in the efficacy of law,” he added.
The court sentenced Pramod to life imprisonment under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code. Additionally, he was sentenced to three months of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1,000 under Section 504 (intentional insult) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Both sentences will run consecutively.
(With PTI inputs)
