Court convicts man for killing wife with a hammer in front of children after relying on testimony of his 13-year-old daughter
Mumbai: A court in Maharashtra’s Thane district has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his wife, whom he repeatedly attacked with a hammer in front of their children inside a residence in Mumbra. The conviction was primarily based on the testimony of the couple’s 13-year-old daughter, who witnessed the horrifying incident and was injured while trying to intervene.
The court found the accused, Vijay Mishra alias Samir Shaikh, guilty under Sections 302 and 324 of the Indian Penal Code related to murder and voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon.
Principal District and Sessions Judge S B Agrawal sentenced the accused to life imprisonment along with an additional three-year jail term, both to run concurrently. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh for the murder charge and Rs 10,000 for injuring his daughter and mother-in-law during the attack.
13-Year-Old Daughter Became Key Witness In Murder Trial
According to prosecutors, the victim, Zarin Israr Ansari, had been living separately with her mother and children for nearly two years due to ongoing domestic violence and marital disputes.
The prosecution stated that the accused allegedly harboured resentment over the separation and suspected his wife’s character. On September 28, 2023, he reportedly arrived at his mother-in-law’s residence in Mumbra carrying a hammer concealed inside a bag.
Investigators said the accused cornered his wife on the mezzanine floor, dragged her downstairs, locked the main entrance, and launched a violent attack using the hammer.
During the trial, Additional Public Prosecutor Rashmi Kshirsagar informed the court that 11 prosecution witnesses were examined, including the couple’s daughter, who provided a detailed eyewitness account of the murder.
“Minor inconsistencies do not affect the core truth of an innocent child’s testimony,” the court observed while accepting the daughter’s evidence.
The court further noted that a child witness cannot be expected to possess “photographic memory” regarding every detail, but stated that her account of the incident remained credible and free from reasonable doubt.
Victim Suffered 22 Injuries In Mumbra Attack
According to the prosecution, the accused also threatened neighbours by allegedly brandishing a “bomb-like object” and warning that he would blow up the building if anyone attempted to interfere.
The victim’s brother eventually forced open the locked door, overpowered the accused, and restrained him until police arrived at the scene.
The postmortem examination later revealed that Zarin Israr Ansari had sustained 22 severe injuries and died due to extensive head trauma caused by repeated hammer blows.
Court Emphasises Importance Of Child Witness Testimony
The judgment has drawn attention to the importance of child eyewitness testimony in serious criminal cases, particularly in incidents involving domestic violence and family crimes.
Legal observers stated that the court’s remarks reinforced the principle that minor inconsistencies in a child’s statement should not overshadow credible and truthful testimony in traumatic incidents.
The case has also reignited discussions surrounding domestic violence, women’s safety, and the psychological impact of violent crimes on children who witness such incidents firsthand.
