Woman gets 5 yrs jail for unintentionally killing stepson

The court, while sentencing Pinki, a resident of Zakhira in West Delhi, said she had strangulated her 13-year-old stepson last year knowing that such act was likely to cause his death.

"In view of the facts and circumstances of the case, it can easily be inferred that the accused did not have the intention to cause death, but she definitely had the knowledge that such injury was likely to cause death of the victim," Additional Sessions Judge Raj Kapoor said.

Pinki had scolded her stepson in February 2010 for not studying for the examination the following day, the prosecution said.

The maternal grandmother of the victim had submitted that before the boy could speak anything, Pinki wrapped a stole around his neck and dragged him inside the house while beating him up. This resulted in his death.

Mahavir, the victim's father had married Pinki after the death of his first wife. He had two sons, including the deceased boy, from his first marriage, besides three other children from his second marriage with Pinki, the prosecution said.

Pinki, however, tried to shift the blame on the child contending that the boy had committed suicide by hanging himself.

The court refused to accept her contentions and said her act shows that she had the knowledge that by wrapping a 'dupatta' around the neck or vital part and dragging the boy would cause his death.

The court also relied on medical records of the deceased which showed that ligature marks were there on his body.

"Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case and family background of convict, I am of the view that ends of justice will be met if convict Pinki is sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for five years," the court said.