2018 Kathua rape-murder: HC dismisses mastermind's plea seeking suspension of life sentence

CHANDIGARH: (Mar 18) The mastermind behind the 2018 rape and murder of an eight-year-old in Kathua does not deserve the "concession of suspension of sentence at this stage", the Punjab and Haryana High Court has said while dismissing a plea from former temple caretaker Sanji Ram.

Ram, who was caretaker of the 'devasthanam' (temple) where the crime took place in January 2018, was sentenced to life by a sessions court in Pathankot the following year. His nephew Parvesh Kumar and special police officer Deepak Khajuria were also given life terms.

A division bench of Justices Gurvinder Singh Gill and Ramesh Kumari passed the order on Ram's plea on March 6. The three-page order was made available earlier this week.