Video Dying Declaration Leads to Life Sentence in Murshidabad Murder Case
A three-minute video capturing the dying declaration of a 15-year-old girl played a decisive role in convicting a man named Rahul Haldar for her murder. The Murshidabad court sentenced Haldar to life imprisonment on Friday, relying heavily on this electronic evidence recorded moments before the victim's death.
Critical Evidence from Dying Moments
In the video, recorded by the investigating officer, the girl explicitly stated, "It was Rahul who brought the poison to me and fed it to me." This statement was made on June 10, 2023, just before she succumbed to poisoning. The court admitted it as evidence under Section 32 of the Indian Evidence Act, which pertains to statements by individuals who later die, making it a legally valid dying declaration.
Forensic Authentication and Witness Testimony
Special public prosecutor Bivas Chatterjee emphasized that the video's authenticity was confirmed through forensic doctor C Sarkar's testimony. "The crucial evidence was this electronic recording. It was produced from its lawful custodian, complying with relevancy and admissibility criteria," Chatterjee explained. Additionally, a prosecution witness (PW7) provided 'last seen' evidence, testifying that Haldar was observed carrying a bottle of poison before meeting the victim, further strengthening the case.
Details of the Incident and Investigation
According to the FIR, the girl returned home around 6:30 PM on June 10, 2023, and informed her family that she had consumed poison. Upon questioning, she disclosed that Haldar had called her to Sastitala, presented a half-filled bottle claiming he had consumed half, and then forcibly poured the remaining poison into her mouth. The autopsy report confirmed death due to poisoning and ruled out involvement of any other individuals in the murder.
Court Verdict and Legal Charges
The court found Rahul Haldar guilty under IPC Section 302 for murder, sentencing him to life imprisonment with a fine of Rs 1 lakh. He also received a five-year sentence under IPC Section 308 for attempt to commit culpable homicide, along with a Rs 50,000 fine, with both sentences to run concurrently. Police had initially registered the case under multiple IPC sections, including 328, 307, 376(3), 120B, and 302, as well as Section 6 of the Pocso Act, highlighting the severity of the charges.
