Nagpur, India – The Bombay high court’s Nagpur bench upheld the death penalty for a 46-year-old laborer convicted of murdering five members of his family over a land dispute in June 2018. Justices Vinay Joshi and MW Chandwani described the crime as “cold-blooded” and “pre-planned,” emphasizing the brutality and heartlessness of the act.

The accused, Vivek Gulabrao Palatkar, had a history of violence, having previously been convicted of murdering his wife in 2014. Despite being initially sentenced to life imprisonment, the high court overturned his conviction, leading to his release. However, Palatkar’s resentments towards his family members continued to simmer.

Driven by his grudge towards his sister’s husband, Kamlakar, Palatkar meticulously planned the murders. Armed with a heavy crowbar, he carried out the killings while the victims were asleep, resulting in the deaths of Kamlakar, his mother, his sister, her daughter, and Palatkar’s own son.

The court deemed the crime as falling into the “Rarest of Rare” category, warranting capital punishment due to the severity of the atrocity. Prosecutors revealed that Palatkar showed no remorse for his actions, fleeing the scene and later assaulting a fellow inmate while in custody.

The bench’s ruling highlighted the gruesome nature of the killings, with medical evidence revealing the extent of the violence inflicted by Palatkar. The court also considered his post-murder actions, indicating a lack of concern for his surviving daughter and orphaned niece.

Overall, the court concluded that Palatkar’s actions and behavior demonstrated a lack of remorse, making him a threat to society. The confirmation of the death penalty serves as a solemn reminder of the tragic consequences of unresolved disputes and the devastating impact of unchecked violence within families.