A man in Udaipur, Rajasthan, has been sentenced to death for the horrific murder of his wife, whom he burned alive. The Additional District and Sessions Court in Vallabhnagar, Udaipur, delivered the verdict, also imposing a fine of Rs 50,000. The crime, which occurred in 2017, was motivated by the man's dissatisfaction with his wife's "dark complexion" and weight.

The victim, identified as Laxmi, was frequently taunted and harassed by her husband, Kishandas, over her physical appearance. The relentless abuse culminated in a brutal act of violence on the night of June 24, 2017. Kishandas, a resident of Navaniya village in Vallabhnagar, told Laxmi he had brought her a special medicine that would make her fairer if applied to her entire body. He then proceeded to remove all her clothes and apply a chemical substance to her. Laxmi immediately complained about an acidic smell, but Kishandas dismissed her concerns. He then lit an incense stick and set her on fire.

As Laxmi's body was engulfed in flames, Kishandas poured the remaining chemical on her and fled the scene. Hearing her screams, her in-laws and sister-in-law, who were present in the house, rushed her to the hospital in critical condition. However, due to the severity of her burns, she succumbed to her injuries.

During the trial, Additional Public Prosecutor Dinesh Chandra Paliwal presented 14 witnesses and 36 documents, which proved crucial in securing the conviction. Judge Rahul Chaudhary, while sentencing Kishandas to death by hanging, stated that the accused's actions "shake the conscience of society" and deemed it an "extremely rare and heinous act". The court emphasized that to prevent the recurrence of such a brutal act, the only option was to sentence the accused to death.

This case highlights the deeply ingrained societal prejudices related to skin color and body image that can lead to horrific acts of violence. It also underscores the importance of a strong judicial response to send a clear message that such crimes will not be tolerated. The conviction and sentencing serve as a reminder of the urgent need for continued efforts to combat discrimination and promote equality for all individuals, regardless of their physical appearance.