INDIA: VASAI MURDER CASE: HC CONFIRMS DEATH SENTENCE FOR THREE

the Bombay High Court in India confirmed the death sentence awarded to three people in the 2004 Vasai murder case. Dilip Tiwari, Manoj Paswan and Sunil Yadav were found guilty of murdering four people because Tiawri resented his sister Sushma's marriage to Prabhu Nochil, who belonged to another caste. Nochil, his father Krishnan, 14 year old cousin Dirjid and one Abhay Raj were stabbed to death at Prabhu's residence by the three on the night of May 17, 2004 in Vasai area of neighbouring Thane district. Abhay Raj, who lived in the same neighbourhood, had helped Sushma and Prabhu marry on October 29, 2003. While Tiwaris are North Indian Brahmins, Prabhu's family belonged to 'Ezhava' community in Kerala. The Palghar Fast Track Sessions Court had convicted Dilip, Manoj and Sunil while acquitting Dilip's parents. The three were awarded the death sentence by the court on September 8, 2006. Prabhu’s mother Indira and sister Deepa were also stabbed, but they survived the attack.