In a shocking and gruesome case in Araria, Bihar, a court has sentenced a mother to death for the brutal killing of her 10-year-old daughter. The incident took place in July 2023, and the court completed the hearing under a speedy trial process, delivering a verdict within one and a half years of the crime. The woman, Poonam Devi, was convicted for murdering her own daughter to cover up her illicit affair.
The Crime and Investigation
Poonam Devi, aged 35, hails from Rampur Koskapur in the Narpatganj police station area of Araria. According to the investigation, Poonam had been having an illicit relationship with a man named Rupesh Singh while her husband was away working in Punjab. On June 21, 2023, Poonam’s 10-year-old daughter, Shivani Kumari, caught her mother in the act with her lover. Fearing that her extramarital affair might be exposed, Poonam decided to silence her daughter.
To keep her affair a secret, Poonam devised a horrific plan to murder her own child. The investigation revealed that on July 10, 2023, Poonam poisoned a fish with pesticide and fed it to Shivani. After consuming the poisoned fish, Shivani fell unconscious. At this point, Poonam, in collaboration with her lover, brutally stabbed Shivani multiple times. She slit the girl’s throat and plunged a knife into her abdomen, causing her death.
Attempt to Cover Up the Murder
After committing the murder, Poonam attempted to cover up her crime. She hid her daughter’s lifeless body in a heap of corn in the family’s storage shed. She thoroughly cleaned the house, including the knife and the bloodstains, and pretended as if Shivani had gone missing. To make the situation appear genuine, Poonam even reported her daughter’s disappearance to the police, leading them to believe that the child was missing.
However, the truth began to unfold after the police conducted a postmortem examination. The medical evidence revealed that Shivani died due to multiple severe wounds on her neck, face, and abdomen. Furthermore, the forensic analysis of Shivani’s viscera, sent to the FSL in Bhagalpur, revealed the presence of a toxic substance called Dicolros, a type of organophosphorus pesticide typically used in insecticides.
Court Proceedings and Verdict
Following the discovery of the body and the forensic results, a case was registered by Bhagwan Kumar Paswan, a watchman at the Narpatganj police station. The case was quickly brought to trial, and the court began hearing the charges against Poonam Devi. The prosecution, led by APP Prabha Kumari Mandal, presented a strong case, detailing how Poonam’s actions were premeditated and cold-blooded.
During the trial, the defense attorney, Kishore Kumar Das, pleaded for a lenient sentence, arguing for a lesser punishment. However, the witnesses who testified during the trial provided consistent and damning evidence that left no room for doubt regarding Poonam’s guilt. The court heard all sides and thoroughly examined the case before delivering its verdict.
Judge Ravi Kumar, presiding over the case in ADJ Court 4, convicted Poonam Devi of the brutal murder of her daughter and sentenced her to death. Additionally, Poonam was fined Rs. 60,000 for her crime. The court ruled that Poonam’s actions were heinous and without any sign of remorse, justifying the capital punishment.
Speedy Trial Process
The entire trial, from the registration of the case to the final verdict, was completed within a remarkably short span of one and a half years. This was made possible due to the speedy trial process that was employed by the court. Such fast-track hearings are essential in ensuring swift justice, especially in cases of heinous crimes such as murder.
This tragic case highlights the dark side of human relationships and the extreme lengths to which some individuals can go to hide their wrongdoings. Poonam Devi’s brutal act of murder not only took the life of an innocent child but also shattered the trust that should have existed between a mother and her daughter. The death sentence handed down by the court serves as a strong message that such heinous acts will not be tolerated in society.
The case also emphasizes the importance of judicial efficiency. The swift and thorough investigation, followed by a speedy trial, has ensured that justice was served promptly. The court’s decision to sentence Poonam Devi to death reflects the severity of her crime and sends a strong signal that crimes involving the murder of children will be treated with the utmost seriousness.
