Death penalty appeal: Uttarakhand High Court seeks mental illness records and sentencing review

The Uttarakhand High Court has directed the state government to examine records in a 12-year-old death penalty case and clarify whether the accused had a serious mental illness at the time of the crime. The bench also asked if any relevant factors were missed in sentencing. The next hearing is set for July 21.

The Uttarakhand High Court has asked the state government to check records in a death penalty appeal. The court said the state must clarify if the accused had a serious mental illness. The bench also sought an explanation on whether any key factors were missed. The matter relates to a 12-year-old case.

A division bench of Justice Ravindra Maithani and Justice Siddharth Sah fixed the next hearing for July 21. The judges directed the state to examine the case papers closely. The court also asked if the death sentence was imposed after proper review. The questions focus on mental health and sentencing safeguards.

Uttarakhand High Court death penalty case: mental illness checks

The accused, Sanjay Singh, challenged a death sentence awarded by a lower court. The appeal argued that Sanjay Singh’s mental illness was not assessed correctly. The High Court earlier sent the case back to the trial court. That step was meant to reconsider the mental state at the time of the crime.

The High Court appointed senior advocate Arvind Vashisht as amicus curiae for the accused. The amicus curiae stated that the death row convict’s mental condition was not sound. He referred to a medical board report. The report said the accused had mental illness and could not grasp consequences then.

Uttarakhand High Court death penalty case: crime and prosecution details

Prosecutors said Sanjay Singh lived in Gumal village in Tehri Garhwal district. The case said the killings followed a minor dispute on December 13, 2014. Investigators alleged Sanjay Singh used a sword. The victims were Sanjay Singh’s mother, elder brother, and pregnant sister-in-law.

An FIR was filed by the accused’s father, Ram Singh Panwar, the prosecution said. The trial later led to a death sentence in August 2021. The order came from the Additional District and Sessions Court. Sanjay Singh then approached the High Court against that punishment.

Uttarakhand High Court death penalty case: lower court finding and review

After the High Court remand, the lower court held a fresh hearing. It again upheld the death penalty. The court said the accused was mentally sound during the incident. It added there was no basis to change the earlier decision, despite the raised mental health claims.

The High Court has now sought a clear reply from the state on the medical and legal record. The bench asked whether mental illness evidence was properly weighed. It also asked if any relevant points were missed in the death sentence process. The case will return to court on July 21.

With inputs from PTI