05-05-2025
Evil man burns four-month pregnant wife alive after claims family 'fail to pay marriage dowry'
A man has been sentenced to life in prison after burning alive his pregnant wife, who succumbed to her injuries after fighting for her life for four days in hospital, over dowry payments
A man has been sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment after burning alive his pregnant wife over dowry in 2015.
The victim, Jaya Devi, succumbed to her injuries after battling for four days at a Delhi hospital. On Saturday, the court in Bulandshahr, India handed down a sentence and imposed a fine of Rs 17,000 (£151) on her evil husband, Pramod Kumar.
While delivering the verdict, Additional District and Sessions Judge Harikesh Kumar emphasised the need for courts to balance the personal circumstances of the accused with the broader societal impact of the crime.
He said: "In determining the quantum of punishment, the court must consider the criminal tendencies, the motive, the societal repercussions of the offense, the accused's involvement, and all relevant factors, giving greater weight to societal implications."
The tragic incident occurred on April 12, 2015. Jaya Devi, who was 32 at the time, had been married to Kumar, a resident of Bulandshahr, in 2007, the Times of India reports.
The couple had two children. According to ADGC Keshav Dev Sharma, Pramod had subjected Jaya to persistent dowry harassment and family disputes, including disagreements over his share of the family property.
"When her family failed to meet dowry demands, Pramod doused Jaya with kerosene and set her ablaze," said Sharma.
She suffered over 85% burns and died at LNJP Hospital in Delhi. In her dying declaration, she recounted the entire incident.
She was four months pregnant when she was killed.
Last month, 37-year-old Prakash Nathsharma was also found guilty of murdering his pregnant wife over dowry demand.
Public prosecutor Nalinikanta Moharana stated that Prakash attacked his 27-year-old wife, Jhuna Nath, with an axe on June 15, 2020. At the time, Jhuna was four months pregnant.
She was immediately rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack by her parents but tragically succumbed to her injuries five days later. The couple had married in 2018.
The investigation revealed that Jhuna had been subjected to ongoing abuse due to dowry demands.
Following a detailed investigation, the police arrested Prakash, and the prosecution's case was further bolstered by the testimonies of 20 witnesses.
