New Delhi: The Supreme Court has delivered a firm verdict against a National Security Guard (NSG) commando convicted of murdering his wife over dowry, rejecting his plea for exemption based on his service in the high-risk Operation Sindoor.
The commando, a member of the elite Black Cat unit, had been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment by a trial court in Punjab in 2004. The court found him guilty of killing his wife in a dowry-related incident. His conviction was later upheld by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Seeking relief, the commando approached the Supreme Court through a Special Leave Petition, claiming that his participation in Operation Sindoor warranted consideration for exemption in the criminal case.
However, the apex court dismissed the petition, expressing strong displeasure at the justification. “Participation in a national security operation cannot be used as a defence against a heinous crime committed in the domestic sphere,” the bench observed, adding that the nature of the crime was grave and no exemption could be granted.
The court also refused to entertain the argument that the commando’s military service should influence the judicial process in a criminal matter involving domestic violence and dowry harassment.
The bench ordered the commando to surrender immediately but granted a two-week extension upon his request.
The ruling underscores the judiciary’s unwavering stance on crimes against women, particularly those related to dowry and domestic abuse, regardless of the accused’s professional background.