'Rarest of rare' case shocks Uttar Pradesh; nine-year-old survivor’s testimony leads to conviction of mother and her partner
Auraiya: In a horrifying case of maternal betrayal, a court in Auraiya (Uttar Pradesh) has sentenced a woman to death for drowning her three minor children in the Sengar River in 2024. Her lover has been sentenced to life imprisonment for abetting the crime.
Additional Sessions Judge Saif Ahmed, delivering the verdict on Thursday, called the act “rarest of rare,” deserving of the harshest punishment under Indian law. The convict, Priyanka, was found guilty of murdering her children in cold blood, while her lover, Ashish alias Danny, was held responsible for criminal conspiracy.
“The act of a mother conspiring to murder her own children, and executing it in such a brutal and planned manner, is one of the rarest of rare crimes,” said government prosecutor Abhishek Mishra, who argued the case.
Timeline of the Crime
According to police records, Priyanka entered into a relationship with Ashish after her husband’s death. On June 27, 2024, Priyanka and Ashish took their four sons, Sonu (9), Madhav (6), Aditya (4), and Mangal (2), to the banks of the Sengar River in Devarpur under the guise of a family outing.
There, the children were allegedly drugged and thrown into the river one by one. Local residents managed to rescue the eldest son, Sonu, who later gave a crucial eyewitness statement that helped build the case.
“Sonu's testimony played a decisive role in uncovering the truth and ensuring justice,” said advocate Mishra.
The other three children died by drowning.
Sentencing and Compensation
The court sentenced Priyanka to capital punishment and Ashish to life imprisonment. It also imposed a fine of ₹2.5 lakh on Priyanka and ₹1 lakh on Ashish. The court further directed that 75% of the fine amount be handed over to Sonu, the surviving child.
“This compensation is intended to support the child who has endured unimaginable trauma,” the prosecution added.
The case had been filed by Priyanka’s brother-in-law, after Sonu disclosed the details of the crime. A comprehensive investigation led to the arrest of both accused and the filing of a detailed chargesheet.
Legal and Social Implications
The Auraiya verdict has shaken the conscience of the state, with child rights activists and legal experts calling it a landmark judgment in cases involving parental violence against children.
The court's decision is expected to serve as a powerful legal precedent in future cases of domestic crime and maternal criminality, particularly when involving premeditated murders of minors.
Sonu is currently under the care of extended family members, and government authorities are expected to extend psychological and financial rehabilitation support to him.
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