Sangrur:
It's a tale of tragedy but also of hope. Tragedy, because casual labourer Mukesh Kumar killed his 2-day old daughter in the presence of his wife. Hope, because Kumar's own wife had the courage to go to court to complain against his heinous act. What's more a trial court in the Sangrur district of Punjab has handed out the death sentence to the labourer, thereby sending out a strong message that female infanticide if practised, would receive the highest possible punishment.
The judgement is a first for Punjab where female infanticide is rampant.
In its ruling the court said: "it is seen that the aggravating circumstances out-weigh the extenuating circumstances and as such the only punishment that can be awarded to convict (Mukesh Kumar) is extreme penalty of death."
Speaking to reporters Manju Devi, wife of Mukesh Kumar said frankly when asked for her reaction to her husband's fate: "He killed my daughter, I am happy with the verdict as I wanted to teach him a lesson and set an example for others."
Lawyers too expressed their happiness with the court's verdict. Preet Inder Kaur, a lawyer said, "The court has awarded a sentence that can act as a deterrent...a father instead of protecting his child killed her...the sentence will now set an example to others."