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Supreme Court of India 2021-02-16 dismissed

Gauri Shankar vs State of Punjab

Bench: 2 — Rastogi

In Brief

The appellant was convicted under Section 302 IPC for murdering two minor children (aged 4 and 2 years) by administering poison (celphos) to them. The trial court sentenced him to life imprisonment meaning remainder of natural life, a sentence confirmed by the High Court. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, holding that while trial courts cannot technically impose such modified punishments (only High Courts and Supreme Court can), the Supreme Court confirmed the sentence based on the heinous nature of the crime. The Court also rejected procedural objections raised for the first time on appeal regarding cross-examination of witnesses, finding the trial court had properly afforded such opportunity.

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Criminal Law Murder Sentencing Criminal Procedure Poisoning Juvenile Victims

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