They killed a minor for family ‘honour’. Now they will spend their lives in jail
The Sessions Court added that the family initially claimed the girl died by suicide, but their conduct after her death was ‘wholly inconsistent with ordinary human behaviour’.
Four years after an 80-year-old woman and two of her family members murdered a 17-year-old girl for family ‘honour’, a Sessions Court in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra on Tuesday, August 4, sentenced them to life in prison. Sessions judge Shivaji B Kachare found that the minor victim, Vaishnavi Garad, was killed in 2022 by her parents and grandmother who disapproved of her relationship with a man she wanted to marry.
The court convicted the girl’s father, former sarpanch, Sainath Garad, mother Chhaya and grandmother Padmavati on charges including murder, criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence under the Indian Penal Code. A fourth accused was acquitted of all charges.
“The evidence unmistakably reveals that the deceased was determined to marry a person of her own choice. The accused strongly opposed the relationship. The deceased and PW1 [the man she was in a relationship with] were threatened on this count,” the court said.
The Sessions Court added that the family initially claimed the girl died by suicide, but their behaviour after her death was ‘wholly inconsistent with ordinary human behaviour’.
“It is a matter of common experience that crimes committed in the name of family honour ordinarily take place within the privacy of a family residence. Independent eyewitnesses are rarely available because the offence itself is committed by close family members inside the house,” the court said.
Vaishnavi, an athlete and Class X student, wanted to marry a 22-year-old man from a neighbouring village. When her family came to know of their relationship, they threatened them with dire consequences.
On October 6, 2022, the girl’s parents contacted the man and said they would rather kill her than face dishonour over the relationship. Two days later, the man learnt that the girl was killed and cremated. Citing inaction by the police, the man attempted to commit suicide, forcing the police to file a complaint.
Story continues below this ad
In its order, the court has also said that the detailed judgment be sent to the Home Department for examining the conduct of three police personnel, who did not conduct an investigation initially despite being alerted to the suspicious circumstances of the girl’s death.
Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues.
Expertise
Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports.
Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on:
Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system.
Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on:
Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates.
Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children.
Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions.
Experience
Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor.
Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape.
Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism.
She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More
