Conviction of Ram Chandra Pramanik for murdering pregnant wife reaffirmed; child witness testimony plays a crucial role.
In a significant judgment, the Calcutta High Court has upheld the conviction of Ram Chandra Pramanik, confirming his life sentence for the brutal murder of his pregnant wife, Sampa Pramanik, in 2014. The Division Bench, comprising Justices Rajasekhar Mantha and Rai Chattopadhyay, delivered the verdict on March 5, 2026, in response to an appeal against the 2017 ruling by the Additional Sessions Judge of the 2nd Court, Howrah.
The court's decision heavily relied on the testimony of the couple's ten-year-old son, Prasanta Pramanik (PW 2), who witnessed the heinous crime. His evidence was deemed credible and unimpeached, despite rigorous cross-examination. The child's testimony was supported by corroborative evidence, including a postmortem report that confirmed multiple injuries consistent with the assault described.
The case against Pramanik was built on the events of January 21, 2014, when he brutally assaulted his wife with a sabol (shovel) and strangled her with a nylon rope. Postmortem findings revealed that the victim, who was 18 weeks pregnant, had suffered extensive injuries indicative of throttling. The court noted that the appellant's actions were inhuman, as he was aware of his wife's pregnancy at the time of the assault.
The defense's attempt to challenge the reliability of the child witness was dismissed, as the court found no evidence of tutoring or influence. The testimony of PW 2 was further validated by the statements of other witnesses and the timely recording of his statement under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which affirmed the voluntariness of his expression.
While the prosecution succeeded in proving the charge of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, the court noted the failure to establish the charge of cruelty under Section 498A. Despite this, the court emphasized the severity of the crime, describing Pramanik as a "cold-blooded killer" who acted with deliberation and intent.
The judgment underscores the court's reliance on the quality of evidence over the quantity of witnesses, highlighting the critical role of the child witness in securing justice. The High Court's decision to uphold the life sentence reflects the gravity of the crime and the need for stringent punishment in cases of domestic violence resulting in murder.
Bottom Line:
Conviction under Section 302 of the IPC upheld based on the sole eyewitness testimony of the minor child witness (PW 2), supported by corroborative evidence from postmortem findings and other witnesses.
Statutory provision(s):
- Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Section 302 (Murder)
- Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Section 498A (Cruelty)
- Evidence Act, 1872 - Section 118 (Competency of witnesses)
- Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 - Section 164 (Recording of confessions and statements)
Ram Chandra Pramanik v. State of West Bengal, (Calcutta)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2862589
