Madras High Court Commutes Death Sentence in 2022 Chennai Train-Push Murder to Life Term

Overview

• A Division Bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and M. Jothiraman issued the order on Thursday after partly allowing the convict’s appeal.
• The court upheld D. Sathish’s conviction for murder under Section 302 IPC and set aside the conviction under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.
• Judges found motive and premeditation established, noting stalking, a rejected relationship and the accused waiting at St. Thomas Mount station before pushing the student onto the tracks.
• The case was held not to meet the “rarest of rare” threshold, with probation and prison reports, the accused’s age and lack of prior record supporting a reformative approach.
• Statutory remission or commutation was barred until 20 years of imprisonment are completed.