Madras High Court overturns death sentence in child abuse case citing doubts

A bench of Justice Anand Venkatesh and Justice KK Ramakrishnan set aside the death conviction of a man accused of repeatedly assaulting five minors under ten years old. The judges noted that the children’s testimonies resembled a “parrot-like” recitation, raising the likelihood of prior coaching. They also pointed out gaps in medical findings, the absence of independent witnesses to the alleged cries for help, and irregularities in cross-examination and counsel representation.

These deficiencies, the court said, undermined the fairness of the original trial and created reasonable doubt. The judgment stressed the necessity of strict adherence to procedural safeguards in capital sentencing and cautioned courts not to yield to public or media clamor. Consequently, the accused was acquitted of all charges.