Supreme Court stays death penalty of man accused of raping, murdering minor in Madhya Pradesh

BHOPAL: The Supreme Court on Friday put a stay on the death penalty of the accused who convicted of raping and murdering a minor girl in Madhya Pradesh.

The eight-year-old victim, who was a relative of the accused, was killed in the Dabra area of MP's Gwalior.

The death sentence was awarded by Madhya Pradesh High Court's Gwalior bench following which the accused, identified as Virendra, had appealed to the Supreme court.

Virendra was charged under Section 302 of the IPC.

On hearing the case, the apex court bench, headed by Chief Justice Deepak Mishra, stayed the death sentence.

The apex court also issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government regarding the matter and sought a response.