A district court in Firozabad on Friday sentenced the man convicted of murdering a one-and-a-half-year-old child in Uttar Pradesh's Shikohabad to death. The verdict was delivered just 41 days after the crime, with the court convicting the accused, Viraj, a relative of the victim's family.
The incident occurred in Yadav Colony of Shikohabad on May 30, where the toddler Aarav was allegedly thrown onto the ground several times, resulting in his death.
According to the prosecution, Aarav's mother, Rati, a resident of Bamei village in Sirsaganj tehsil, was married to Sumit, also known as Priyank, a resident of Badaun. Owing to marital disputes, she was seeking a divorce.
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Investigators alleged that Viraj alias Jitendra Pathak, a resident of Shekhupura in Badaun and the brother-in-law of Rati's maternal uncle, wanted to marry her. Following her denial of his proposal, out of concern for the well-being of her toddler, he allegedly murdered her child.
According to reports, footage of the incident, which went viral online, was alleged to have shown the suspect throwing her toddler to the floor repeatedly. Police arrested Viraj in an encounter around six hours after the incident. During the operation, he sustained bullet injuries to both legs before being taken into custody and sent to jail.
In six days, the Shikohabad police investigated the case, recording statements from 13 witnesses, gathering CCTV footage and other evidence before submitting a chargesheet in court.
The trial began in the court of District Judge Dr Babbu Sarang, who rushed the proceedings. The accused was convicted on Thursday, and sentenced to death on Friday.
District Government Advocate Rajiv Priyadarshi stated that the prosecution presented 13 witnesses, while the defence presented one witness. As described by Priyadarshi, the incident was such a heinous massacre that once viewed, no one can watch the video again.
Officials said the district administration and police had sought a speedy trial, and the court completed the proceedings within 41 days.