Chennai, Apr 24: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has commuted the death sentence of a man convicted of repeatedly sexually assaulting his minor daughter, instead sentencing him to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life. The ruling underscores a significant judicial stance on punishment in cases involving grave sexual offences against children.
A division bench comprising Justices N. Anand Venkatesh and K. K. Ramakrishnan observed that life imprisonment until death serves as a more enduring form of retribution than capital punishment. The court noted that such a sentence would compel the convict to live with the consequences of his actions, describing it as a “lifelong dialogue with his own conscience.” It also made it clear that the convict, Murugan, would not be eligible for premature release, remission, or any form of commutation.
The court upheld his conviction under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, relating to repeated aggravated sexual assault on his 14-year-old daughter. According to case details, the victim endured abuse on multiple occasions, which came to light after medical examination revealed she was five months pregnant. Subsequent DNA analysis conclusively established the accused as the biological father. The judgment reflects the judiciary’s effort to balance punishment with a broader perspective on justice in deeply disturbing cases.