Bombay High Court upholds death sentence for man convicted of brutally killing and cannibalizing his mother

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court has upheld the death sentence of Sunil Kuchkoravi (42), who was convicted of the gruesome murder and cannibalization of his mother. A division bench comprising Justices Revathi Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan affirmed the death penalty, which was originally handed down by the Kolhapur Sessions Court in July 2021.

The case, which shocked the community with its brutality, involved Kuchkoravi not only killing his mother but also removing and cooking her internal organs, including her brain, heart, liver, kidneys and intestines. The court described the crime as one of "cannibalism," labeling it as rare, cruel, barbaric and horrific. The bench observed that the crime had "shaken the conscience of the community," warranting the harshest punishment available.

In its ruling, the court emphasized that the possibility of reforming Kuchkoravi's mind was slim and that a life sentence would pose a risk of him committing a similar crime in prison. "No mercy can be shown to the guilty," the court noted, adding that the pain and torture endured by the victim were unimaginable. It further highlighted the particularly heinous nature of the crime, including the fact that the accused had mutilated his mother's genitals.

The court also imposed a fine of ₹25,000, noting that he had a history of consuming unconventional meats, such as pig and cat, which may have contributed to his actions.