Supreme Court Halts Execution in High-Profile Child Murder Case

The Supreme Court has stayed the execution of a man convicted of assaulting and murdering a five-year-old girl in Madhya Pradesh. The decision comes after an appeal against a high court verdict. Reports about the convict's jail behavior and psychological state are ordered for review.

The Supreme Court has intervened in a highly publicized case, staying the execution of Atul Nihale, convicted in the 2024 sexual assault and murder of a five-year-old girl in Madhya Pradesh. The three-judge bench overseeing the case has called for a detailed review following an appeal against the January ruling of the Madhya Pradesh High Court that upheld the conviction and death sentence.

In their order, the justices requested the original case documents and associated reports from both the high court and trial court. They also mandated that the State submit comprehensive reports regarding the convict's behavior and work inside Bhopal's central jail, along with a psychological evaluation to be conducted by a special team within 12 weeks.

The court has granted access to Devika Rawat of the Square Circle Clinic to conduct interviews for a mitigation investigation report. Measures are set to ensure confidentiality during the interview process. The case is slated for further hearing after 16 weeks while the execution remains stayed.

(With inputs from agencies.)