Man Sentenced to Death for Locking His Wife in a Room and Setting Her on Fire Over Her Skin Color

Man Receives Death Sentence for Setting Wife on Fire Due to Skin Colour

In a shocking and tragic case that has sent shockwaves through the community, a man in India has been sentenced to death for the brutal murder of his wife based on the colour of her skin. The incident, which occurred on June 24, 2017, in Udaipur, has led to widespread outrage and calls for justice.

The perpetrator, identified as Kishandas, locked his wife, Lakshmi, in a room before setting her on fire. Reports from the BBC, Hindustan Times, and the Independent reveal that Kishandas targeted his wife because he believed her skin was too dark, a disturbing motive that has highlighted deep-rooted issues of colourism in society.

On the night of the horrific attack, Kishandas deceived Lakshmi into believing that he was applying a skin-lightening medicine on her body. However, when she alerted him to the acidic smell of the liquid, he callously set her on fire using an incense stick. He then callously poured the remaining liquid over her as she tried to escape, trapping her in the room.

Despite efforts to save her, Lakshmi sustained severe injuries and later succumbed to them in the hospital. Before her tragic death, she bravely provided statements to the police detailing the abuse she had endured at the hands of her husband. She revealed how he would frequently taunt her for her dark skin tone and body shame her since their marriage in 2016.

The judge presiding over the case, Judge Choudhary, condemned the heinous act as a crime not only against Lakshmi but against humanity as a whole. He expressed profound sorrow over the incident and emphasised the need to protect and uphold the rights of women in society. The judge described the level of cruelty exhibited by Kishandas as unimaginable in a civilised world, further underlining the severity of the crime.

In response to the “historic” ruling, the public prosecutor, Dinesh Paliwal, highlighted the significance of seeking justice for the victim and ensuring that such atrocities are not repeated. The prosecution presented compelling evidence from numerous witnesses and documents to establish Kishandas’s guilt in the crime.

However, Kishandas’s defence attorney, Surendra Kumar Menariya, argued that the victim’s death was accidental and cited a lack of evidence to support the allegations against his client. Despite these claims, the court’s decision to impose the death penalty stands as a resolute message against such acts of violence and discrimination based on skin colour.

The sentencing has sparked conversations about the urgent need to address deep-seated prejudices and discrimination prevalent in society. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of promoting equality, respect, and justice for all individuals, irrespective of their race or skin colour. The case has prompted calls for greater awareness and action to combat colourism and eradicate such abhorrent acts of violence.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic incident, there is a collective hope for justice to prevail and for measures to be taken to prevent similar acts of violence in the future. The harrowing story of Lakshmi’s untimely death serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for societal change and the protection of the most vulnerable members of society.