Chennai, June 30: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has upheld the death sentence for Anand Shekhar, convicted for threatening three minor girls and sexually assaulting one of them in Melapalayam, Tirunelveli, in 2023.
The bench stated, “The law must act as the backbone in protecting children. This ruling should serve as a warning to those committing such crimes.”
Justices Anand Venkatesh and K.K. Ramakrishnan emphasized, “This decision is not an act of vengeance but an effort to deliver justice and restore the moral fabric of society. The Supreme Court has already indicated that judges should not hesitate to wield the sword of justice in cases of severe nature.”
The court remarked, “A civilized society is defined by how it protects its most vulnerable members, especially children. In this case, the offender not only inflicted violence on their bodies but also deliberately committed cruelty against three innocent girls.”
The bench noted that the accused not only broke the law but also shattered the innocence of children. Such heinous acts shake the conscience and demand justice. Showing mercy in such brutal cases would set a dangerous precedent for society.
The court further stated that after trivializing the lives and emotions of children, it cannot allow the offender to live peacefully for the rest of his life in prison. The Madurai Bench also instructed the registrar to ensure that all judicial records related to the case, including the trial court’s decision and other documents, are redacted to protect the identities of the victimized children.
In 2023, the All Women Police Station in Palayamkottai registered a case against Anand Shekhar for threatening to kill the three minor girls and sexually assaulting one of them in Melapalayam, Tirunelveli. He was subsequently arrested.
On March 12, the Special POCSO Court in Tirunelveli found Anand Shekhar guilty and sentenced him to death. Following this, the Tamil Nadu government filed a reference through the police inspector of Palayamkottai to confirm the death sentence in the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. After reserving the case for judgment, the division bench announced its decision on Tuesday, affirming the death sentence.
The court stated, “A civilized society is recognized by its protection of the weak, especially children. In this case, the accused not only inflicted violence on the victims but also committed acts of brutality against three innocent children. After threatening their lives, he carried out this heinous crime.”
He not only violated the law but also destroyed their childhood innocence. Such crimes shake the conscience. Showing mercy in such barbaric cases sends the wrong message to society. After showing such indifference to the lives and emotions of these children, the court cannot allow the offender to live peacefully for the rest of his life in prison.”
The court referenced the Supreme Court’s stance that the death penalty may be imposed in “rarest of rare cases” and concluded that this case falls within that category. Accordingly, the High Court confirmed the death sentence given to Anand Shekhar and instructed the registrar to remove any references that could reveal the identities of the child victims before the case is resolved.
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