Why was the woman's death sentence overturned in Hyderabad?

The Telangana High Court overturned the death sentence after accepting the woman's insanity plea, due to her diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and delusions.

Does Section 84 of the IPC provide exceptions for criminal liability due to mental illness?

Yes, Section 84 of the IPC provides a general exception to criminal liability for individuals incapable of knowing their act is unlawful due to mental illness.

Home / Crime and Justice / Insanity Plea Succeeds: Death Sentence Overturned

Insanity Plea Succeeds: Death Sentence Overturned

Q: What treatment will the woman receive after her death sentence was set aside?

The woman will be immediately transferred to the Institute of Mental Health, Erragadda, for specialized care under the Mental Healthcare Act.

24 Jan

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Summary

Woman's death sentence for daughter's 2021 killing overturned by high court.
Court accepted insanity plea due to paranoid schizophrenia and delusions.
Woman to be moved to specialized mental health facility, not released.

Insanity Plea Succeeds: Death Sentence Overturned

The Telangana High Court has set aside the death sentence of a 35-year-old woman convicted of killing her seven-month-old daughter in 2021. A division bench accepted her plea of insanity, recognizing that she suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and acted under a severe delusion.

The woman believed she was afflicted by a 'serpent curse' and that a human sacrifice, influenced by social media content, would cure her. The court determined she was incapable of understanding the nature or illegality of her act at the time.

While acknowledging her past violent behavior, including an alleged attempt to kill her husband, the court prioritized public safety. She will be transferred to the Institute of Mental Health, Erragadda, for specialized care.