Mumbai: HC awards life sentence to liquor addict for killing mother

Observing that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, the Bombay high court has upheld the life sentence awarded to a man for killing his mother by setting her on fire after she refused to give him money to buy liquor.

Observing that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, the Bombay high court has upheld the life sentence awarded to a man for killing his mother by setting her on fire after she refused to give him money to buy liquor.

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A bench of justice VK Tahilramani and justice Shalini Phansalkar Joshi, in a recent judgement, confirmed the life sentence punishment conferred on Rupesh Tukaram Zingare by a Mumbai sessions court in September, 2013.

"On going through the record, we find that there is sufficient evidence to prove that the appellant poured kerosene on his mother Nirmala and set her on fire, which led to her death. Thus, we find no merit in the appeal and hereby dismiss it," said the Judges.

At that time, Rupesh was under the influence of alcohol. After dragging his mother out of the house, he began abusing people and later he ran away. Nirmala was taken to a hospital where she expired after a few days.

The HC relied upon the evidence of two neighbours, Mariama and Lissi, who had witnessed Rupesh setting his mother on fire by dousing her in kerosene and throwing a lighted match stick at her.

According to prosecution, Rupesh, a resident of Mumbai, was a habitual drinker and often used to harass his parents to seek money to drink. On January 14, 2012, when his mother refused to pay him money to buy drinks, he lost temper and poured kerosene on her before setting her afire.

Nirmala received 45 per cent deep burn injuries, as a result of which she died in hospital. The court relied upon her dying declaration and found the appellant guilty of killing his mother.