The Punjab and Haryana High Court upheld the death sentence of a man convicted in 2020 for the brutal murder of his wife, two children, and sister-in-law in Punjab's Phagwara area back in 2013.

A division bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji affirmed the conviction of Baljinder Kumar, declaring it to be a 'rarest of rare' case.

The Court further elaborated that the methodical nature in which Kumar executed the killings of his children, wife, and sister-in-law indicated premeditation, ruling out the possibility of it being a crime of passion.

On November 29, 2013, Kumar brutally murdered his wife, Seema Rani, along with his two young children, 3-year-old Suman Kumari and 2-year-old Harsh, as well as his sister-in-law, Reena Rani. Additionally, he inflicted injuries upon two others during the same incident.

According to the prosecution, just days before the tragic murders, Kumar visited his mother-in-law, Manjit Kaur, where he issued explicit threats to kill his wife and children. This threatening behavior stemmed from a disagreement over a sum of ₹35,000, which was supposed to be paid to Kumar and his sister, Rekha Rani, by Rekha's former husband as part of their divorce settlement. 

The prosecution asserted that Kaur, who had arranged Rani's unsuccessful marriage and had also guaranteed the return of the money, became a target of Kumar's resentment. He held her responsible for failing to ensure the repayment of the money, fueling his animosity towards her.

In February 2020, a Sessions Court in Kapurthala found Kumar guilty and handed down a death sentence. Subsequently, a reference for the confirmation of the death penalty was forwarded to the High Court. Meanwhile, Kumar also lodged an appeal against his conviction.

After scrutinizing the evidence, the High Court concluded that the assault was perpetrated by an individual harboring deep-seated resentment, ruling out the possibility of it being a random robbery by unidentified individuals. Additionally, the court relied on the eyewitness testimony of the survivor, Harry, who was just 5 years old at the time of the incident.

The Court took note of the argument that Kumar had sustained severe injuries and was hospitalized on the same day. However, the Court pointed out that the medical report indicated his injuries were consistent with a fall from a height.

Therefore, the Court concluded that there was no justifiable reason to overturn the conviction. Consequently, it upheld the verdict of the trial court.

Additional Advocate General VG Jauhar represented the State of Punjab

Advocate Naveen Sharma represented the appellant Baljinder Kumar @ Kala