Life Sentences for Husband and Stepsons in Jhansi Murder Case

In a significant ruling, a Jhansi court has sentenced a husband and his two stepsons to life imprisonment for the murder of Shiva Devi. The case, stemming from a family dispute over property, saw the defendants found guilty after an extensive 11-year trial. The court's decision underscores the tragic consequences of familial conflicts and the legal ramifications of such disputes. As the community reflects on this case, it raises questions about justice and the impact of inheritance issues on family dynamics. Read on for a detailed account of the events leading to this verdict.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 13, 2025, 09:40 IST

Court Sentences in High-Profile Murder Case

A court in Jhansi has sentenced a husband and his two stepsons to life imprisonment for the murder of a woman, along with imposing a fine of one lakh rupees each.

Special Public Prosecutor Vijay Singh Kushwaha reported on Wednesday that 80-year-old Sudama Prasad Yadav had two marriages: the first to Vishva Devi and the second to Shiva Devi.

Shiva Devi was also in her second marriage. Kushwaha explained that Sudama Prasad had transferred his substantial property to Shiva Devi through a power of attorney, which led to animosity from the sons of his first wife, Padmendra, Nihal, and Ailan Singh Yadav.

On the evening of January 4, 2014, while selling flowers outside the Shani temple near Jharna Gate in the city, Shiva Devi was shot dead by Padmendra and Ailan, who arrived on a motorcycle.

Kushwaha noted that Sudama Prasad initially filed a complaint against Padmendra and Ailan, but later, based on an application from Shiva Devi and her daughter from her first marriage, Sudama Prasad was also implicated in the murder case.

The Additional Sessions Judge Mohammad Niyaz Ahmad Ansari's court found Padmendra, Ailan, and Sudama Prasad guilty of murder and conspiracy after an 11-year-long trial, sentencing them to life imprisonment and a fine of one lakh rupees each.