Man beheads wife to 'cure' self, gets life

A court on Tuesday sentenced a man to life imprisonment in Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi for beheading his wife in a ritual sacrifice believing it would cure his filariasis.

Additional district judge Ache Lal Saroj awarded the sentence and also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the convict, Kamlesh. Half of the amount will be paid as compensation to the victim's family. SP Neeraj Kumar Jadaun said that the case was expedited under UP police's 'Operation Conviction'.

Police had lodged a case in Dec 2020 on a complaint of victim's father Ramkishun against Kamlesh, his son-in-law. Ramkishun had stated that he received a phone call that Kamlesh had beheaded his daughter.

His relatives also confirmed the crime. Police investigation revealed that Kamlesh had turned to occult practices and had also sacrificed pigs earlier.

The SP further added that the prosecution presented nine witnesses during the trial. Based on their testimony and evidence, court found Kamlesh guilty of murder and sentenced him to life imprisonment.