Supreme Court confirms death penalty for 2 from UP

The Supreme Court Thursday confirmed the death penalty for a  woman and her lover for killing seven members of her family, including a 10-month-old child. Shabnam and Saleem, the two convicts, wanted to marry but Shabnam’s family was against this alliance. The two drugged Shabnam’s entire family and then hacked them to death on April 15, 2008, in Almora District of Uttar Pradesh. According to the prosecution, while Shabnam held the drugged, Saleem hacked them to death with an axe. The incident took place in Bawankhera village of Amroha. They were sentenced to death by the lower courts which was appealed against by the duo.

Advocate Dushyant Parashar, who was appointed as amicus curiae in the case, had sought commutation pointing out Shabnam had given birth to a child during her incarceration. Rejecting the plea, a bench led by Chief Justice of India H L Dattu said: “You (Shabnam) are also a mother. But you didn’t show any mercy or affection to your family. Even you killed 10-month-old baby of your brother. We can’t grant any relief.”