[Laila Khan Murder Case 2011] Stepfather Sentenced To Death In 'Rarest Of Rare' Case

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On Friday, Judge SB Pawar concluded that Parvez Tak’s actions fell under the “rarest of rare” category, warranting the death penalty for the charge of murder. Additionally, Tak received a seven-year rigorous imprisonment sentence for the destruction of evidence and was fined Rs 10,000. The death sentence now awaits confirmation from the Bombay High Court.

[Laila Khan Murder Case 2011] Stepfather Sentenced to Death in 'Rarest of Rare' Case — [Laila Khan Murder Case 2011] Stepfather Sentenced to Death in ‘Rarest of Rare’ Case

Mumbai: Today (24th May): The Mumbai sessions court sentenced Parvez Tak to death for the brutal murders of Bollywood actress Laila Khan, her mother, and four siblings in 2011. The verdict, delivered on May 9, found Tak guilty of multiple charges, including murder and destruction of evidence.

On Friday, Judge SB Pawar concluded that Parvez Tak’s actions fell under the “rarest of rare” category, warranting the death penalty for the charge of murder. Additionally, Tak received a seven-year rigorous imprisonment sentence for the destruction of evidence and was fined Rs 10,000. The death sentence now awaits confirmation from the Bombay High Court.

Background

The tragic incident occurred in February 2011 at the Khan family’s bungalow in Igatpuri, Maharashtra. Parvez Tak, motivated by feelings of resentment and fear of abandonment, first killed his wife Selina after a dispute over property.

Subsequently, he murdered Laila Khan and her four siblings in a cold-blooded act. The killings were part of a premeditated plan, as Tak believed Selina and her family treated him poorly and feared they would leave him behind while relocating to Dubai.

The heinous crime came to light months later when Parvez Tak was arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir police due to his criminal background. The decomposed bodies of the victims were eventually discovered at a farmhouse in Igatpuri, owned by the Khan family.

The prosecution, led by public prosecutor Pankaj Chavan, presented a compelling case, examining 40 witnesses over the years to establish Tak’s guilt.

During the sentencing, Judge Pawar emphasized the brutality and premeditated nature of the murders. Public prosecutor Chavan argued for the death penalty, highlighting the planned and violent execution of six family members and the subsequent disposal of their bodies.

Section 300 however, prescribes two forms of punishment i.e death penalty and life imprisonment wherein life imprisonment is followed as a rule and death penalty is to be given only in exceptional cases.
This category of exceptional cases has been defined as rarest of rare by the Honourable Supreme Court of India (hereinafter, ‘the Apex Court’). Thus, death penalty for the offence of murder under the IPC can be granted only in these exceptional cases and not otherwise.

The Apex Court in the landmark case of Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab laid down that life imprisonment is the rule and death sentence is an exception. It would be important to mention the brief facts of the case. Bachan Singh, in Criminal Appeal No. 273 of 1979, was tried, convicted and sentenced to death by the Sessions Court under Section 302 IPC, for the murder of Desa Singh, Durga Bai and Veeran Bai.

After being found guilty, Tak requested additional time to discuss his defense with his lawyer. However, the court noted that substantial time had already been granted, and leniency was not justified given the severity of the crime.