A court in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district delivered a life sentence to a 60-year-old woman, Anita Devi, for the brutal murder of her daughter-in-law, Kavita Devi. The verdict came from the court of Additional Sessions Judge-III Rajendra Kumar Sinha, marking the conclusion of a case that had shocked the local community. Along with the life sentence, the court imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on the convict, warning that failure to pay the amount would result in an additional two years of imprisonment.
According to Additional Government Pleader Ashok Kumar Rai, the case was built primarily on the dying declaration of the victim. Before succumbing to her injuries, Kavita Devi provided a detailed statement that formed the foundation of the First Information Report (FIR) registered at Sarwan police station on April 23, 2022, the day of the incident.
In her final testimony, Kavita Devi recounted that an argument had erupted between her and her mother-in-law earlier that day. After the confrontation, she returned to her house, where bundles of dried straw were stored. A short while later, Anita Devi followed her and allegedly set the straw on fire. The flames spread quickly, igniting Kavita Devi’s sari. Despite her desperate cries for help, no one came to her immediate rescue.
Eventually, bystanders managed to extinguish the fire, but the victim had sustained severe burns. Despite efforts to save her, she succumbed to her injuries soon after. Investigators later gathered enough evidence to confirm that the fire had been deliberately set.
Following the incident, police filed the charge sheet on March 10, 2025. The court then initiated a fast-tracked trial, ensuring that the case was resolved without unnecessary delay. After examining all witnesses and evidence, Judge Sinha delivered his verdict, sentencing Anita Devi to life imprisonment.
The judgment underscored the seriousness of domestic violence and reaffirmed that such acts of cruelty within families would not be tolerated under the law. The case also highlighted the significance of a dying declaration in securing justice, as Kavita Devi’s own words played a decisive role in ensuring that her attacker faced punishment.
