Court observation - 'Vulgar messages to daughter-in-law led to Dongri murder'

MUMBAI: A sessions court, that sentenced a 60-year-old man to life imprisonment for the murder of his landlord and family friend, has observed that the motive for the brutal crime was the fact that the victim had objected to the accused repeatedly sending vulgar messages to his daughter-in-law.
Relying on the testimony of the daughter-in-law to find the accused Sayeed Debastani guilty, the court said, “There is no reason for not believing her case regarding sending vulgar messages and threats given to her.It is pertinent to note that the witness is an educated lady and a teacher, and such a person would not tell falsely about harassment.“ The court also pointed out that the accused had confessed to the woman in a call soon after the body was discovered and said, “Yes, I killed your father-in-law and I will kill all of you, if you do not listen to me.“
On May 23, 2012, the victim, Qamar Ali Babai alias Irani (65), was found dead by his son and other family members at a flat in Dongri with 21stab injuries. Sayeed was found guilty alongwith another accused Nitesh Zha (23). One other accused was acquitted while a fourth is a juvenile.
The court also relied on the blood report of the victim which matched with blood stains found on the clothes of the accused. “It was crystal clear that the accused was wearing clothes that contained the blood of the victim. Therefore the prosecution has clearly established the participation of the accused in murder of the deceased,“ the court said. The daughter-in-law, in her deposition before the court, said the accused was given the family's house in Dongri, while she lived with her husband and inlaws in another house. The woman said Sayeed used to frequent their house where he would have meals with her father-in-law. She alleged that the accused was initially very friendly and started sending jokes and recipes on her mobile number. However, he started sending vulgar messages when she went to Hyderabad. The woman said she complained to her husband and family about the incident. On May 15, 2012, her brother even confronted the accused, but the accused told him that she was like his daughter.