Purkayastha murder case: Convict Sajjad Mogul gets lifer

A local court today sentenced to life imprisonment, Sajjad Mogul, who was convicted for killing 25-year-old city-based lawyer Pallavi Purkayastha in 2012.

"Considering the mitigating and aggravating circumstances, I am of the opinion that the case does not fall under the rarest of the rare category," Sessions Judge Vrushali Joshi said while handing over the quantum of punishment.

The court also handed over different punishments to Sajjad for molestation and criminal trespass.

Sajjad had tears in his eyes when the sentence was being pronounced. He requested the court to give minimum sentence. To this, the judge said, "I am giving you the minimum punishment, while the section provides for capital punishment as the maximum sentence."

However, Pallavi's father Atanu Purkayastha expressed disappointment over the quantum of sentence.

"My daughter was a strong girl and she put up a brave fight, even as she was stabbed for 16 times. If this is not the rarest of the rare case, then which one isIJ" he told reporters later.

Mogul, who belonged to Jammu and Kashmir, killed Pallavi on the night of August 9, 2012 when she was alone at the flat after he made advances at her which she resisted.

Pallavi's fiance Avik Sengupta, who lived with her at an apartment at Wadala, had found her body lying in blood. Mogul was employed as a watchman in the building.