State of Rajasthan v. Suresh Kumar S/O Shri Mangilal
Case brief
What is this about?
The High Court of Rajasthan heard a death reference and a connected criminal appeal challenging the conviction and death sentence imposed on the appellant. The case involved the rape and drowning of a four-year-old child. The court examined prosecution evidence, including seizures at the accused's instance (skirt, clothes ashes, motorcycle plate) and conclusive DNA matching. While confirming the conviction, the court applied the 'rarest of rare' doctrine, balancing aggravating circumstances against mitigating factors like the accused's age, lack of prior record, and non-premeditated nature. The court commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment.
What did the court decide?
The death sentence awarded under Sections 302 IPC and the POCSO Act was commuted to life imprisonment extending to the full natural life of the appellant. The death reference is declined.