A Mumbai sessions court on Monday held former security guard Sajjad Mugal guilty for the molestation and murder of 25-year-old lawyer Pallavi Purkayastha who was found dead in her upscale apartment in Central Mumbai in August 2012.
Pronouncing the verdict, Mumbai Session court judge, Vrushali Joshi held Mugal guilty for molestation, trespass and murder under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Arguments on the quantum of the sentence will be heard on July 3rd.
The case had triggered outrage in the city and raised questions about the safety of women. It had also raised concerns about the checks undertaken before building watchmen are hired.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pallavi Purkayastha was the daughter of two senior IAS officers. Her body was found by her live-in partner Avik Sengupta, also a lawyer. On the same day, the Mumbai Police
On October 30, 2012, the >Mumbai police filed a 434 page chargesheet in the case attributing ‘resisting of Siraj's advances’ being the motive behind the crime. 40 witnesses were examined by the prosecution during the course of the trial.
After the verdict was delivered, the victim's father Atanu Purkasyastha told The Hindu, " We feel vindicated but justice will be truly done only when the death sentence is awarded to Mugal. A deterrent sentence is required to send a strong message to like minded criminals in the society. He has devasted two families, taken the lives of two people," he said. Mr. Atanu is a joint secretary with the Union Agriculture Ministry.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sumita Purkasyastha, mother of the victim, told the press that she had not only lost her daughter but also her would be son-in-law.Mrs.Purkasyastha is the Director General with the Ministry of Communication.
PTI story: >Guard Sajjad Mughal found guilty of murdering Mumbai lawyer Pallavi Purkayastha