Haryana Man Sentenced to Death in 'Rarest of Rare' Crime

A Haryana man, Umesh Kumar, was sentenced to death by a Mathura court for attempting rape and murder by setting a woman on fire. The crime was deemed 'rarest of rare' due to its brutality and the accused's criminal history, warranting the death penalty and additional imprisonment for other charges.

A Mathura district court on Tuesday delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing Umesh Kumar from Haryana to death for the horrific crime of attempting to rape and subsequently murdering a woman by setting her on fire. The crime, which took place on March 11, 2025, shocked the nation due to its sheer brutality.

District Judge Vikas Kumar labeled the act as a 'rarest of rare' crime, invoking Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita to impose the death penalty. Apart from the capital punishment, the court also issued a fine of Rs 1 lakh. Additionally, Umesh Kumar received seven years of rigorous imprisonment along with a Rs 20,000 fine under another charge, and five years' imprisonment with a Rs 5,000 fine under a separate section.

The court underscored the premeditated nature of the crime and cited the accused's history of heinous crimes, including a previous conviction in 2018, as pivotal factors in its harsh sentencing. The prosecution emphasized the need for stringent punishment to deliver justice and prevent similar future crimes.