UP court sentences businessman to life for tearing open pregnant wife’s stomach

Singh had been out on bail since last year.

“On Thursday, Singh was taken into custody soon after the court found him guilty. Later, the court sentenced him to life imprisonment in the case and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000,” said Munendra Pratap Singh, the government counsel.

Singh said the court convicted him under sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 313 (causing miscarriage without woman’s consent) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The court examined eight prosecution witnesses, including Anita and her daughter Niljala. According to the prosecution, Singh married Anita Devi around two decades ago, and they have five daughters. In 2020, when Anita Devi became pregnant again, Pannalal reportedly started threatening he would remarry if she did not give birth to a son.

Singh attacked Anita Devi when they were at home with their eldest daughter on September 19, 2020. Their daughter tried to save her mother but failed. After attacking Devi, Singh fled from the scene, and Devi was rushed to the hospital. She survived the attack, but the baby did not.

Devi’s brother, Gollu, lodged a First Information Report (FIR) alleging that his brother-in-law had been harassing and assaulting his sister for not giving birth to a son. After being released from jail in March 2013, Singh started harassing Gollu and pressuring him to compromise in the case. Gollu, who runs a general merchandise shop for a living, then filed another complaint against Singh.