Death upheld for matricide, son had cannibalistic intent

Court says there's 'absolutely no chance of reformation', observing that the accused exhibited conduct akin to 'pathological cannibalism'.

- Urvi Mahajani

The Bombay High Court confirmed the death sentence for a man who had murdered and eviscerated his mother in his inebriated state, with cannibalistic intent, in Kolhapur in 2017, observing there was "absolutely no chance of reformation or rehabilitation" of the convict.

The court also noted that Sunil Kuchkoravi's conduct was akin to pathological cannibalism and hence, could pose a potential threat to inmates in case his sentence was reduced to life in prison till death.

The HC was hearing a confirmation plea filed by the state government seeking confirmation of his death sentence. The sessions court in Kolhapur had sentenced Kuchkoravi to death in 2021. On August 28, 2017, around 2pm, Kuchkoravi murdered his 63-year-old mother, Yallama Rama Kuchkoravi, at Makadwala Vasahat in Kolhapur city. He later desecrated the body and ate some organs after frying them in a pan. Kuchkoravi had not filed an appeal challenging his death sentence.

The court noted that it was the most "brutal, barbaric and gruesome murder" of a 60-year-old mother by her son - of a person who used to provide him with meals twice a day since his wife and children had abandoned him. His family left him as he would quarrel and beat his wife for money to buy liquor.