The High Court converted the death sentence into life imprisonment, the head was cut off after raping the innocent

The division bench of Justice Vivek Agrawal and Justice Dev Narayan Mishra of Jabalpur Bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court overturned the decision of the Sessions Court in the much talked about case of rape and beheading of an innocent sister in Banda under Sagar.

The case does not fall in the category of rarest of rare cases
The High Court clarified in its order that this case does not fall in the category of rarest of rare cases, where only death penalty is appropriate for the appellant.

The accused had accepted his crime
This is also because after the incident the accused had accepted his crime. He comes from the deprived working class of the society, hence the punishment was changed keeping in mind his socio-economic background and level of education.

Get an opportunity to become a better citizen
On this basis, the High Court is of the considered opinion that instead of death penalty, a youth suffering from remorse should get an opportunity in this life to reform and become a better citizen.

Senior advocate presented his side
During the hearing of this case, senior advocates Manish Dutt and Dilip Singh Parihar presented their side on behalf of the appellant Ram Prasad Ahirwar, resident of Sagar, Banda and others.

Not a professional killer, it was his first crime
The advocate argued that the Sessions Court placed this case in the rarest of rare category and gave a relatively harsh verdict like death penalty. Despite this, the appellant Ram Prasad Ahirwar is not a professional killer. This was his first crime.

Failed to prove the actual age of the deceased
The prosecution has also failed to prove the actual age of the deceased. The accused person belongs to the deprived section of the society, Scheduled Caste community. His parents come from a labourer background.

Should be seen in the context of social environment
The level of education and social contact available to them should be seen in the context of caste mobility and the social environment of rural urban divide present in our society. Although committing murder is cruelty, but the age of Ram Prasad Ahirwar and his confession of the crime should also be kept in mind.

What was the matter
The minor had left home on March 13, 2019 to take her school exam. When she did not return home, a missing person report was filed on March 14, 2019. A youth named Ganni told the police that he had gone to Rambhagat's field where he saw the decapitated body of a girl. After which the police reached the spot. With this, a crime was registered.