Madhya Pradesh: Man sentenced to life term for killing woman by severing her feet for jewellery

BHOPAL: A court in Narmadapuram has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the murder of a 75-year-old woman in March 2023. The case was reported from Sangakheda village.
Rambai Chaure, was found murdered in her farmhouse. Investigations revealed that the accused, Sunil Keer, a 24-year-old from the same village, had not only killed Chaure but also resorted to barbarity to steal her jewellery.
According to the prosecution, Keer accosted Chaure while she was alone at her farmhouse. He demanded her silver anklets. When Chaure refused, Keer threatened her before attacking with an axe. In a desperate struggle, Chaure reportedly fought back, but Keer overpowered her.
Keer severed both of Chaure's feet at the calves with the axe in an attempt to remove her silver anklets. The attack also left multiple injuries on her body, including her ears, which suggests he may have targeted her gold earrings as well.
Police probe played a crucial role in securing a conviction. Blood found on the murder weapon, the axe, was forensically matched to Chaure's DNA. Additionally, bloodstains found on clothes buried by Keer outside the village were confirmed to be his victim's through DNA testing. Most importantly, the stolen jewelry, including the bloodstained bangles, was recovered from Keer's possession.
Despite having four sons and a large family, Chaure chose to live and work at her farmhouse. Her sons revealed that she was known for her courage and often slept with an axe and sickle for protection – the very tools Keer used against her in this horrific crime.
The court proceedings revealed that Keer had a history of criminal behavior. He was already facing charges under the POCSO Act for an unrelated crime involving a child and was on bail at the time of the murder. The court found Keer guilty of murder, robbery, and housebreaking. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 15,000.