INDIA: MUMBAI HIGH COURT COMMUTES DEATH SENTENCE OF SOLAPUR MAN WHO KILLED SON AND NIECE

January 27, 2015: The Mumbai high court commuted the death sentence of a Solapur man who had killed his three-year-old son and nine-year-old niece after attacking his wife on December 31, 2012. 
A division bench of Justices VK Tahilramani and Ajey Gadkari set aside the death sentence of Sunil Ombase and sentenced him to life imprisonment for the murders.
Ombase used to work as a labourer in Mumbai and would visit hometown Solapur once a month. Suspecting his wife's character, he would often fight with her. On the night of December 31, 2012, Ombase asked his wife to chose between him and their son. When she refused to reply, he became angry and assaulted her, after which she managed to run outside the house. However, their son and niece were sleeping on a cot nearby and became his target. He assaulted them, which resulted in their deaths.
In August 2013, the sessions court at Solapur convicted Ombase for murdering the two children and assaulting his wife, and sentenced him to death.
Since all death sentences need to be confirmed by the HC, the state filed a petition in the HC, seeking confirmation of the death penalty. Additionally, Ombase had challenged his death sentence, pleading innocence.  (Sources: dna, 28/01/2015)