Chikkaballapur court delivers verdict in gruesome 2023 case
Chikkaballapur: A shocking murder case that shook Karnataka reached its conclusion on Friday, as the Third District and Sessions Court in Chikkaballapur sentenced a 37-year-old woman, Ambika, to life imprisonment for killing her six-year-old nephew. Along with the prison sentence, the court also imposed a fine of ₹25,000 on the convict.
The crime took place in Muttakadahalli village under Gudibande police limits on 30 November 2023. According to investigators, Ambika, who was harbouring resentment against her elder sister Anitha, lured Anitha’s two children—eight-year-old Manushri and six-year-old Madhu—by promising to buy them snacks.
The crime and the failed plan
Ambika took the children to a mango grove near Hirenagawali Cross, where she brutally bludgeoned Madhu to death and buried his body in a shallow pit. She then decided to dispose of Manushri by abandoning her in an orphanage in Bengaluru.
However, the plan quickly unravelled. While travelling in an autorickshaw with her niece, Ambika openly spoke about her intentions. The alert driver, sensing something was amiss, drove straight to Cubbon Park Police Station. This intervention marked the beginning of the unraveling of the crime.
Investigation and confession
During interrogation, Ambika initially claimed that Madhu had gone to a shop and had not returned. But her version collapsed when police confronted her with her niece’s statement. Eventually, Ambika confessed to the murder.
Police teams from Cubbon Park and Gudibande worked together to retrace the sequence of events. Officers later exhumed Madhu’s body from the grove, confirming the brutal killing.
Investigations revealed that Ambika had been living with her sister Anitha’s family after being abandoned by her husband. Tensions in the household escalated when Anitha warned her younger sister about her disruptive behaviour. Enraged and consumed by anger, Ambika sought revenge in the most tragic way possible.
Pivotal role of the child’s testimony
In court, the testimony of eight-year-old Manushri proved crucial in securing justice. Her statement detailed how her aunt had killed her younger brother and attempted to abandon her in the city. This direct account left little room for doubt in the court proceedings.
Verdict and significance
Delivering the verdict, the Third District and Sessions Court sentenced Ambika to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹25,000. Legal experts say the judgment highlights the weight placed on child testimony when corroborated by investigation, while also underscoring the responsibility of courts to ensure justice in crimes involving children.
The case serves as a grim reminder of the destructive consequences of resentment within families and the importance of vigilance in protecting children. The courage of the autorickshaw driver and the honesty of young Manushri were instrumental in ensuring justice for Madhu.
Conclusion
With the sentencing of Ambika, the Chikkaballapur Sessions Court has closed one of the region’s most disturbing cases in recent memory. The verdict not only delivers justice for the young victim but also stands as a stern message against crimes driven by vengeance within families.