Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Dec 15: The Bombay High Court has allowed the appeal of a woman sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of her infant daughter in North Goa in 2022, setting aside the conviction and directing a fresh trial. The court ruled that the Goa Children’s Court failed to follow mandatory legal procedures while accepting her guilty plea, particularly in light of her mental health history.

In its order, the High Court noted that the Children’s Court had, in January this year, convicted the woman and imposed a life sentence soon after she pleaded guilty. However, the division bench observed that the plea was accepted in a mechanical manner, without ensuring that the accused fully understood the nature and consequences of her admission of guilt.

The bench, comprising Justices Sarang V. Kotwal and Ashish S. Chavan, held that there were serious concerns about the woman’s mental fitness at the time of the trial as well as during the alleged offence. The court directed that the case be sent back to the Goa Children’s Court, with instructions to strictly follow Chapter XXV of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which deals with cases involving accused persons of unsound mind.

During the hearing, the woman’s counsel, advocate Vithal Naik, argued that the trial judge had not explained either the charge or the implications of pleading guilty. He also contended that the woman was suffering from mental illness and depression, rendering her incapable of comprehending the consequences of her plea.

The High Court agreed, noting that the trial judge was aware of the accused’s claim that she was mentally disturbed and subjected to harassment by her husband. Despite this, the plea of guilt and the sentence were recorded almost simultaneously. This, the court said, raised serious doubts about whether the plea was truly voluntary or informed.

The judges pointed out that the infant had sustained multiple injuries and that medical records showed the mother had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder several years prior to the incident. She had been on antidepressants and sleep medication, which were resumed after the birth of her first child and again during her second pregnancy.

Given these circumstances, the High Court concluded that the earlier proceedings had caused grave prejudice to the accused. The matter will now be reheard by the Children’s Court after following due process, including proper assessment of the woman’s mental condition.