05 March 2024 Acquittal >> Criminal Law   |   FIR >> Criminal Law   |   Murder Homicide >> Criminal Law  

Shahin Parveen's story is a chilling reminder of the brutality women can face within their own families. Engaged in a property dispute with a relative, Shahin found herself targeted in a horrific crime. This December 2016 case in Moradabad, India, exposed a web of violence and exploitation, culminating in a desperate fight for justice.

Shahin Parveen, embroiled in a property dispute with a relative, met a tragic end in December 2016. Admitted to a Moradabad hospital with horrific burn injuries, Shahin succumbed to her wounds. She had reportedly accused her brother-in-law, Pappu alias Mashkoor, along with his wife Naeema and brother Naeem, of setting her ablaze.

Shahin's final statement, a dying declaration, implicated all three individuals. The declaration detailed harrowing accusations of coercion into prostitution and subsequent physical and sexual assaults leading to the immolation. Legal proceedings commenced, charging the accused under India's Penal Code for murder and conspiracy.

The court, while deeming Shahin's testimony credible, found insufficient evidence to convict Naeema and Naeem. However, based on the dying declaration, Mashkoor was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. This case highlights the importance of dying declarations in securing convictions, but also underscores the need for corroborating evidence when multiple people are accused.