Lakshmi Murder Case: Husband Kishandas Sentenced to Death in India for Burning Wife Alive Over Dark Skin

A court in Udaipur, India, has sentenced a man named Kishandas to death after he burned his wife, Lakshmi, alive because of her dark skin. The shocking case, which dates back to June 24, 2017, has once again highlighted the deep-rooted issues of colourism and violence against women in India.

Judge Calls It “Rarest of Rare” Crime

District Judge Rahul Choudhary described the case as falling under the “rarest of the rare” category. He said the act was a crime against humanity and one that “shocks the conscience of society.”

The court ruled that Kishandas’s actions were brutal and intentional. Before her death, Lakshmi had given statements to both police and doctors, where she explained how her husband often mocked her for being dark-skinned. He called her “kali” (a Hindi word for dark) and repeatedly body-shamed her.

How the Murder Happened

On the night of the killing, Kishandas allegedly brought home a plastic bottle containing a brown liquid. He told Lakshmi it was a medicine that could lighten her skin. According to her statement, he then applied the liquid to her body before setting her on fire with an incense stick.

Lakshmi was rushed to the hospital by Kishandas’s family. Sadly, she died of her severe burn injuries.

Prosecution and Defence

Public prosecutor Dinesh Paliwal hailed the verdict as “historic” and said it should serve as a warning to others in society.

However, Kishandas’s lawyer, Surendra Kumar Menariya, insisted his client was innocent. He argued that there was no direct evidence linking Kishandas to the murder and that Lakshmi’s death was accidental. The defence has confirmed that they will appeal the verdict.

The death sentence will now be reviewed by the High Court, and Kishandas has 30 days to file his appeal.

A Reflection of Deeper Issues

The case has drawn attention to colourism in India, where lighter skin is often linked to higher caste status and privilege. Skin lightening products continue to dominate advertisements, and many women face daily taunts for having darker complexions.

Violence against women in India remains widespread. Studies show that one in three women face abuse at the hands of their partners.

In another recent case in April 2024, a woman named Pinky, who was six months pregnant with twins, was tied to a bed and burned alive by her husband in Amritsar, Punjab. That crime also shocked the nation and highlighted ongoing concerns about women’s safety.