Preeti Rathi’s killer to be sentenced today

MUMABI: Describing his actions as gruesome, merciless and pre-planned, the prosecution in the Preeti Rathi acid attack case on Wednesday sought the death penalty

MUMABI: Describing his actions as gruesome, merciless and pre-planned, the prosecution in the Preeti Rathi acid attack case on Wednesday sought the death penalty for 25-year-old Ankur Panwar. Special judge AS Shende on Tuesday found Panwar guilty of murdering Rathi and injuring others in an acid attack at Bandra terminus in May 2013. The court heard sentencing arguments on Wednesday and will pronounce its verdict on Thursday afternoon.

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Panwar threw sulphuric acid on Rathi at Bandra terminus on May 2, 2013, soon after she arrived from Delhi with her father and aunt. Rathi had come to Mumbai to work as a lieutenant (nursing) at INHS Ashwini; it was her first visit to the city. Panwar took the same train from Delhi and attacked Rathi as he was jealous of her success and because she had turned down his marriage proposal.

Special public prosecutor Ujwal Nikam argued for the death penalty, saying the accused had planned the attack, purchased sulphuric acid in April 2013, and warned Rathi of dire consequences 15 days before she left Delhi for Mumbai.

Nikam also emphasised that Panwar is the first person to have been convicted under sections 326(A) and 326(B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which specifically deal with acid attacks.

The two sections were included in the IPC with the passing of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act on April 2, 2013.

“The convict is of a sadistic mind, derives pleasure by inflicting pain on his victim and is perverse by nature. If he is given a lighter punishment, he will come out after some time and will target some other young girl,” Nikam said.

However, defense lawyer Apeksha Vora said that several aspects of the case had not been proven.

“The original appointment letter received by Rathi for joining her job is not proved. Her reason to visit Mumbai is not proved and the cause of death of Rathi is also not proved by the prosecution,” Vora argued.

Vora also said that Panwar could not afford a lawyer and was not given one of his choice, despite repeated demands, until his case had been damaged. Vora said this was one of the mitigating circumstances because of which Panwar could not be awarded capital punishment.