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NEW DELHI: A woman who burnt to death her live-in partner in a fit of rage has been set free by Delhi high court after she spent seven years in jail. A division bench comprising Justice Ravindra S Bhat and Justice S P Garg reduced the charge slapped on the woman from murder to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and set free the convict on period undergone. "We notice she has already remained in custody in this case for more than seven years. Ends of justice would be met if she is sentenced to undergo imprisonment for the period already spent by her in custody. Her conviction for murder is set aside and she is convicted for committing culpable homicide not amounting to murder," the bench noted. It took into account the circumstances that indicated Attro Devi had no intention to kill her partner but poured kerosene and set him on fire during a heated quarrel. Devi, who became a widow at a very young age, became friends with the victim, Anup Singh. Both began living together without getting married. On the day of the incident in 1992, Singh returned home in an inebriated and handed over some money for monthly household expenses to Devi. Soon an argument ensued between the two when she demanded more money, which he refused. Devi poured kerosene on him and set him on fire. Though Singh survived with burn injuries and gave his statement to the police, he later succumbed to his injuries. In his statement, Singh said he was set on fire by Devi in the midst of a quarrel. However, the trial court convicted her for the offence of murder and awarded life imprisonment. But HC modified the punishment, saying Devi didn't kill her live-in partner in a pre-meditated fashion and the offence happened in the heat of the moment. |
| SOURCE: The Times of India |
