Bengal Court orders death sentence to man, directs administration to ensure education and well being of his minor children

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A court in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district on Friday (September 25, 2026) awarded the death sentence to a man convicted of killing his wife while issuing directions to the District Magistrate to ensure the education and well being of two of his minor children.

Srikanta Roy killed his wife Soma Roy who was living with another person on January 24, 2026.

Additional Sessions Judge, Jalpaiguri Biplab Roy convicted Srikanta Roy of murder and emphasising on the gruesome nature of the crime called it “rarest of rare’ and awarded death sentence to the convict.

However, observing that under the Indian Jurisprudence a convict’s minor son possesses an absolute, independent and fundamental right to education that cannot be diminished or penalised due to his parents conviction or imprisonment of life, Judge Roy stated that the sins of the parent cannot visit the child, and the State must protect the child’s educational future.

During the trial of the matter, the lawyer representing the convicvt had sought lesser punishment for him on the grounds that he has to look after his two minor children.

The Court directed District Magistrate, Jalpaiguri to make necessary arrangement, with the help of Social Welfare Department of the District and in consultation with District Legal Services Authority, Jalpaiguri, for admission of the minors of the convict in the respective classes in which they are studying now in appropriate school having hostel facility.

In his order dated September 24, Judge Roy said that the State shall incur the entire expenses for the fooding, lodging and education of the minors of the convict.

In the series of directives issued to the district administration, Judge Roy said that the responsibility of District Magistrate, Jalpaiguri shall not end when the minors turn 14 years, but the aforesaid assistance shall continue till the minors attain age of 21 years and the State will continue to provide free education and take proper care of their physical and mental health.

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