Kanpur Court Delivers Life Sentence in Husband Murder Case
A Kanpur court has handed down life imprisonment sentences to a woman and her lover for the murder of her husband in 2024. The conviction depended heavily on the compelling testimony of the couple's seven-year-old daughter, who witnessed the crime firsthand.
Child's Statement Proves Crucial Evidence
The young girl, who was in Class II at the time, provided primary evidence against the accused. She told investigators that she saw her mother mixing a poisonous substance into water before giving it to her father. This testimony became a cornerstone of the prosecution's case.
District Government Counsel Dilip Awasthi emphasized the importance of the child's statement. "The daughter's testimony served as primary evidence against the accused," he stated. "She clearly described witnessing her mother prepare the poisoned water that was offered to her father."
Murder Plot Unfolds During Family Trip
The case dates back to March 6, 2024, when Prateek Sharma left his Kanpur home with his wife Neha and their two children for a trip to Lucknow. The family checked into a hotel where the crime occurred.
According to police investigations, Neha and her lover Ayush Kumar administered water laced with poison to Prateek under the guise of providing medicine. His health deteriorated rapidly, and he was rushed to a hospital where he later died.
Additional District Government Counsel Manoj Kumar Jha detailed the subsequent events. "Neha returned home with the children on March 16," he explained. "When family members inquired about Prateek's whereabouts, she claimed his vehicle had developed technical problems and he would return later."
Investigation Uncovers Mobile Phone Evidence
Police placed the mobile phones of Neha, Prateek, and Ayush under surveillance during their investigation. They discovered that Ayush was using Prateek's phone, which helped trace his location.
The probe revealed that Ayush had accompanied the family on their trip and stayed with them at the Lucknow hotel. After Prateek's death, Neha and Ayush performed his last rites in Lucknow before returning to Kanpur.
Defense Plans Appeal Against Judgment
Defense Counsel Jitendra Kumar Sahu has indicated that an appeal will be filed against the court's judgment. The defense maintains its position challenging the evidence presented in the case.
On Friday, authorities brought both accused from Kanpur jail to the court for sentencing. The court considered multiple pieces of evidence beyond the child's testimony, including statements from hotel staff who witnessed events during the family's stay.
The young girl described the sequence of events during police questioning. "She stated that her mother gave her father water mixed with some substance," Jha recounted. "After drinking it, his health deteriorated, and they rushed him to the hospital. While traveling back to Kanpur, her mother told the children their father had been hospitalized and would return soon."
Based on these findings, police registered a case against Neha and Ayush. Both were subsequently arrested and have remained in custody since their apprehension.
