The Firozabad District and Sessions Court in Uttar Pradesh, India, has sentenced Viraj, also known as Jitendra Pathak, to death for the brutal murder of an 18-month-old boy, Aarav. The crime, which occurred in May 2026, shocked the nation due to its brutality and the swift judicial response.
Court delivers death sentence within 40 days of incident
The sentence was pronounced on Friday, July 10, 2026, just 40 days after the murder. The court found Viraj guilty of killing the toddler, whom he allegedly considered an obstacle to his relationship with the child's mother, whom he intended to marry. The swift trial examined 13 prosecution witnesses and one defense witness before the verdict was reached.
Viraj, a resident of Badaun, was produced before the court under heavy security at around 2:30 pm on Friday for sentencing. More than a dozen police personnel were deployed during his appearance. The District Judge had convicted Viraj on Thursday after the trial concluded, with the sentence pronounced on Friday following final hearings.
Prosecution highlights exceptional speed of investigation
Public Prosecutor Rajiv Priyadarshi noted that the case was investigated and prosecuted with exceptional speed. The police filed the charge sheet within six days of the murder, enabling the trial to conclude within 40 days. A total of 13 witnesses testified for the prosecution, while one witness appeared for the defense. Based on the evidence and testimonies, the court awarded the death penalty.
According to the public prosecutor, Viraj began slapping himself after hearing the sentence pronounced in court. The case relates to the killing of one-and-a-half-year-old Aarav in Yadav Colony of Shikohabad in Firozabad district on May 30. Police said Viraj took the child on the pretext of buying him a toffee, then repeatedly slammed him onto the road, causing fatal injuries. The toddler was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Accused confessed to murder, believed child was obstacle
Investigators said the accused confessed during interrogation that he committed the murder. He claimed he was in a relationship with the child's mother and alleged she had been blackmailing him. Police said he believed the child was an obstacle to his relationship and intended marriage with the woman. The child's mother also alleged that Viraj wanted to marry her and viewed her son as a hurdle.
The gruesome assault was captured on CCTV cameras installed nearby, triggering widespread outrage after the footage surfaced on social media. Following the incident, the accused fled the scene but was later arrested by police during an encounter. The investigation was completed swiftly, culminating in the filing of the charge sheet within six days.
Death sentence awaits appellate process
With the trial concluded and the death sentence awarded, the case stands out for the speed of investigation and judicial proceedings. The conviction and sentence will now proceed through the mandatory appellate process before the punishment can attain finality under law.
