Firozabad Child Murder Case: Verdict Delivered in 40 Days, Death Sentence Awarded to the Killer of an 18-Month-Old Child

Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh: In the brutal murder case of an 18-month-old child in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, the District and Sessions Court has sentenced the accused, Jitendra Pathak alias Viraj, to death. The verdict, delivered just 40 days after the incident, is being regarded as an example of a swift judicial process.

According to the prosecution, Jitendra Pathak wanted to marry the child’s mother. It was also widely reported locally that he was insisting on marrying a woman who was related to him as his sister-in-law. After the woman refused his proposal, he allegedly became resentful. During the investigation, police concluded that the accused viewed the child as an obstacle to his plans.

On the day of the incident, the accused allegedly lured the child out of the house on the pretext of buying him chocolate. He then brutally killed the toddler by repeatedly smashing him onto the ground. CCTV footage of the horrifying crime later surfaced, triggering widespread outrage across Uttar Pradesh and the rest of the country.

Following the incident, the police acted swiftly and arrested the accused. During the arrest, he sustained gunshot injuries to both legs in a police encounter. After completing the investigation, the police promptly filed the chargesheet. During the trial, the prosecution presented the testimony of 13 witnesses along with other evidence. The court found the evidence reliable, convicted the accused, and awarded him the death penalty.

One of the most notable aspects of this case was the speed of the judicial process. The investigation, filing of the chargesheet, recording of witness statements, and the final judgment were all completed within 40 days, drawing widespread attention.

The CCTV footage of the incident went viral on social media, shocking people both in India and abroad. Many expressed deep grief and anger, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused and the harshest possible punishment. The case remained a major topic of discussion on social media for several days.

Following the court’s verdict within 40 days, many people described it as a decision that reinforces public confidence in the justice system. However, as with any judicial decision, the final legal outcome remains subject to the appellate process before the higher courts.