INDIA: YOUTH GETS DEATH SENTENCE AFTER QUICK TRIAL IN MINOR’S RAPE AND MURDER CASE

A 25-year-old youth was awarded a death sentence in Madhya Pradesh for raping and killing a six-year-old girl he had lured from a wedding hall in Gwalior town in the intervening night between June 20 and 21. The jail authorities did not bring Jitendra Kushwah to the Special Court fearing assault by advocates and others and the sentencing was conveyed to him via video conferencing. After his arrest on June 22, the chargesheet was submitted on July 2.
The trial lasted for 13 days in which 33 witnesses, including forensic science laboratory officials, victim’s parents, police, and school teachers, were examined. Jitendra was produced in the court only twice. Jitendra claimed he was innocent but later confessed to the crime.