Court sentences man to life imprisonment for killing wife

Sumesh Rajan | March 28, 2025

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India – A Sessions Court in Mumbai has sentenced a 27-year-old man to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife, Renuka Rathod, in 2021. The convict, Vitthal Rathod, was found guilty of strangulating his wife at their residence in Cuffe Parade on February 21, 2021.

 

The case came to light after Renuka’s mother filed a complaint against Rathod, suspecting foul play following her daughter’s sudden death. Upon examination, authorities found reddish marks on Renuka’s neck, leading to an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her demise.

 

Case Background and Investigation

 According to the prosecution, Rathod exhibited controlling and possessive behaviour toward his wife, restricting her movements and social interactions. Renuka’s mother stated that her daughter often appeared eager to share something but was unable to do so due to the constant presence of her mother-in-law.

On the night of February 21, 2021, around 11:00 PM, Renuka’s in-laws informed her mother that she was feeling unwell. Later, Rathod, who was allegedly intoxicated at the time, told the family that she had fallen unconscious and needed medical attention. However, he later changed his statement, claiming that Renuka had died by suicide by strangling herself.

Suspicious of the conflicting narratives and the injury marks on her daughter's neck, Renuka’s mother filed a complaint at the Cuffe Parade Police Station, prompting an investigation.

Court Proceedings and Verdict

During the trial, Additional Public Prosecutor Geeta Sharma presented testimonies from Renuka’s relatives, who emphasized Rathod’s suspicious behaviour and the restrictive control he exerted over his wife. The prosecution relied on medical evidence, which confirmed that Renuka had been strangled manually, contradicting the defence’s claim of suicide.

Rathod’s defence contended that he had attempted to save his wife by rushing her to the hospital. However, the court found the argument unconvincing.

“The defence has failed to establish the probability of suicidal hanging,” the court stated in its verdict. “The prosecution has provided sufficient evidence proving that the accused caused Renuka’s death through manual strangulation. The nature of the act indicates clear intent to kill.”

The court ruled that Renuka’s death was homicidal and found Rathod guilty of murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, bringing closure to a case that underscored concerns over domestic violence and spousal abuse.