‘Sadist’ Ankur Panwar deserves death: Court

The Mumbai sessions court’s decision to award the death penalty to Ankur Panwar in the Priti Rathi acid attack case was based on the judge’s opinion that he was a sadist and beyond reformation.

Special judge Anju Shende observed that the prosecution’s view of Panwar was valid and he had destroyed Rathi’s life as she had refused to marry him.

The court also took into consideration the statements of eyewitnesses and the fact that Panwar was unable to explain the acid marks on his hand.

Judge Shende in the order said that the huge quantity (2 kg) of sulphuric acid that was hurled at such a small surface (Rathi’s face) showed Panwar’s intentions to kill her. Sulphuric acid powerful enough to affect bones, said the order, which runs into more than 150 pages.

The judge also said considering all mitigating and aggravating circumstances, facts of this case, Supreme Court judgments and the recent (Madras) high court judgment on acid attack case, the court has awarded death sentence to Panwar.

Before pronouncing the quantum of punishment the judge called Panwar to the witness box and asked him his age to which he said he is 26 years old. The judge also confirmed his residential address and then announced that he had been awarded the death sentence. “The death sentence should not be executed till confirmation from the high court,” said the judge. She also said that the fine amount, if recovered, should be given to the family of the victim.

Rathi’s brother Hitesh, while speaking to The Asian Age, said, “We are happy with this decision and we want it to be implemented as soon as possible. We wish the high court confirms the sentence.’’