Archive · 25 Jul 2025
HC Overturns Death Sentence in Rape-Murder Case, Commutes Punishment
Imagine a terrible crime happened: a young woman was raped and murdered.
Some people were found guilty and sentenced, but now a higher court has looked at the case again.
The court decided that two people were wrongly found guilty and set them free because there wasn't enough proof.
Another person's punishment was changed from death to life in prison.
The court examined evidence like blood samples and DNA to make these decisions, but only found enough proof against one person.
The court considered the person's background and behavior to make their judgment fair.
Calcutta High Court overturned death sentences in a 2021 rape and murder case.
The court acquitted Chhotu Munda and Tapati Patra due to lack of evidence.
Bikash Murmu's death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment without remission for 40 years.
The incident involved the rape and murder of a young woman on May 3, 2021.
The court cited forensic evidence linking Murmu to the victim, but not Munda or Patra.
- Who
- The Calcutta High Court, Bikash Murmu, Chhotu Munda, Tapati Patra, and the victim.
- What
- The Calcutta High Court altered verdicts in a 2021 rape and murder case, acquitting two and commuting one sentence.
- When
- The High Court passed the judgement on Thursday.
- Where
- Kolkata, India.
- Why
- The court overturned the original verdicts due to insufficient evidence against Munda and Patra, and based on forensic evidence in the case of Murmu, as well as his personal background.
Original Verdict
High Court Ruling
Conviction
Original Verdict
Bikash Murmu and Chhotu Munda were sentenced to death, and Tapati Patra to life in prison.
High Court Ruling
The High Court found insufficient evidence against Munda and Patra.
- Original Court
- Sessions Court of Paschim Medinipur
- Appeals Court
- Calcutta High Court
- Crime Date
- May 3, 2021
- Charges
- Gangrape and Murder
- Murmu's Sentence
- Life imprisonment (40 years without remission)
- Munda & Patra's Verdict
- Acquitted