Archive · 9 Dec 2025
Jharkhand High Court Commutes Death Penalty in Split Decision
The Jharkhand High Court in India decided to change the punishment of two men from death to life in prison.
These men were found guilty of killing a police officer and five other police officers in 2013.
The court made this decision because the judges had different opinions.
One judge thought the men should be set free, while the other judges thought they should be punished.
Since there was a disagreement, the court decided not to give the death penalty.
The men will now serve life in prison and have to pay a fine.
The Jharkhand High Court commuted the death penalty of two convicts to life imprisonment due to a split verdict.
The convicts, Sukhlal and Sanatan Baski, were found guilty of murdering Superintendent of Police Amarjit Balihar and five other police personnel in 2013.
One judge, Justice Rangon Mukhopadhyay, opined that the charges were not proven beyond reasonable doubt, while Justice Sanjay Prasad confirmed the death sentence.
The court emphasized that the attack was a pre-meditated assault on the police force and the sovereign authority of the state.
The convicts will serve life imprisonment with a Rs 10,000 fine, or three years of simple imprisonment in default of payment.
- Who
- Two convicts, Sukhlal and Sanatan Baski, were involved in the murder of Superintendent of Police Amarjit Balihar and five other police personnel.
- What
- The Jharkhand High Court commuted the death penalty of the two convicts to life imprisonment.
- When
- The crime occurred in July 2013, and the high court decision was made in July 2025.
- Where
- The incident took place in Jharkhand, India, and the decision was made by the Jharkhand High Court.
- Why
- The court commuted the sentence due to a split verdict, where one judge dissented and recorded a judgment of acquittal.
- Convicts
- Sukhlal and Sanatan Baski
- Victim
- Superintendent of Police Amarjit Balihar
- Crime Date
- July 2013
- Original Sentence
- Death Penalty
- Commuted Sentence
- Life Imprisonment with a Rs 10,000 fine
- Court Decision Date
- July 2025
- Judges
- Justice Gautam Kumar Choudhary, Justice Rangon Mukhopadhyay, Justice Sanjay Prasad
- Number of Victims
- 6 police personnel, including the SP