Chitradurga District Judge sentences two men to life imprisonment just days after they commit murder

Chitradurga:  At a time when lakhs of cases are pending at various Courts in India and at a time when there is an urgent need of speedy delivery of justice, here is a ray of hope. Chitradurga District Judge has created a record of sorts by delivering Judgements just days after a criminal has committed a crime.

Judge S.B. Vastramath has come in for praises from his fellow Judges and also the advocate community for sentencing a man to life imprisonment just 13 days after the man murdered his 65-year-old wife. Vastramath also sentenced 28-year-old Sridhar for bludgeoning his wife Sakamma (26)suspecting her fidelity.

Sridhar was produced before the District and Sessions Court by the Police and Judge Vastramath pronounced Sridhar guilty on July 10. The Judge relied upon the evidence given by Sridhar’s three-and-a-half-year-old son.

On July 7, Vastramath had sentenced a 75-year-old man to life imprisonment just 11 days after the latter murdered his 65-year-old wife. Last year, the Judge was in the news when he ordered a compensation of Rs. 1.14 crore to the families of 14 people killed in an accident in Molakalmuru in Chitradurga district in just 18 days. This case is said to be the fastest judgement in a motor vehicle accident case in the country.

While serving in Molakalmuru’s Magistrate Court, Vastramath was appreciated for the speedy verdicts delivered. He won 72 points against the target of 10 under a system to evaluate Judges. One point is awarded for each judgement, which means Vastramath delivered 72 judgements though his target was 10.

Vastramath believes that speedy justice by the Courts is the need of the hour. “It’s more so in the case of criminal justice as it helps maintain societal harmony,” he said. The 54-year-old Judge, who is also known to be a socially committed person, takes keen interest in environment and conservation, and students’ welfare.

On his most memorable judgement, Vastramath said awarding death penalty to three men accused of rape and torture of a woman in Kolar was a momentous one. “It was the statement given by the rape victim who survived for six months that played a key role in the judgement,” he said. Another landmark in his career, he said, was awarding life imprisonment to three accused of murder in Magadi Kere (Chikkamagalur district).