Home / Crime and Justice / Mother Fights Acquittal in Jhanvi Kukreja Murder Case
Mother Fights Acquittal in Jhanvi Kukreja Murder Case
29 Mar
Summary
- Mother challenges acquittal of daughter's friend in murder case.
- Jhanvi Kukreja, 19, was found dead with 48 injuries.
- Accused friend was acquitted, given benefit of doubt.

The mother of Jhanvi Kukreja has taken her fight for justice to the Bombay High Court, challenging the acquittal of her daughter's friend in the sensational murder case. Jhanvi, a 19-year-old psychology student, was found deceased on January 1, 2021, following a New Year's Eve party. Her body was discovered in a pool of blood on the ground floor of a Khar West building, indicating she was allegedly dragged down the stairs.
Investigations revealed Jhanvi suffered 48 injuries. A sessions court later sentenced Shree Jogdhankar, 26, to life imprisonment for the murder. However, 24-year-old Diya Padalkar was acquitted, with the court citing benefit of doubt. Jhanvi's mother, Niddhi Kukreja, has now filed an appeal, asserting that the trial court failed to properly consider the evidence against Padalkar, particularly her alleged presence at the crime scene.
The appeal, filed on March 21, highlights the mother's contention that the trial court's appreciation of evidence concerning Padalkar was flawed. Jhanvi Kukreja resided in Santacruz. The altercation is suspected to have originated from a dispute involving Jogdhankar's intimacy with Padalkar. The High Court is expected to hear the appeal in the near future.