The Supreme Court has firmly rejected a plea by Baljinder Singh, a Black Cat Commando, seeking exemption from surrender after being convicted under Section 304B IPC for the dowry death of his wife. Despite claiming to have served in Operation Sindoor and being part of Rashtriya Rifles for two decades, the top court ruled that such service does not justify exemption from legal consequences of a serious criminal offence.
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A bench of Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Vinod Chandran heard the Special Leave Petition filed by the convict challenging a May 2025 verdict by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which upheld his 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence.
“That doesn't give you immunity from committing atrocity at home. This goes to show how physically fit you are, and the manner in which alone you could have killed your wife,”
— Justice Ujjal Bhuyan
The petitioner’s counsel highlighted his long military service and said,
“I can only leave with one line, I am a participant of Operation Sindoor. For the past 20 years I am a Black Cat Commando posted in Rashtriya Rifles.”
However, the court stood firm. Justice Bhuyan noted the gruesome nature of the crime and ruled out any relief.
“This is not a case for exemption. It’s a gruesome manner, the manner in which you strangulated your wife. Exemption is for when the sentence is of 6 months, 3 months, 1 year.”
— Justice Ujjal Bhuyan
Justice Vinod Chandran reminded the counsel that the High Court had already dismissed the appeal.
In response to a claim that the only allegation was a demand for a motorcycle and that the witnesses were close relatives of the deceased, the bench remained unmoved. Justice Bhuyan stated:
“We can issue notice on the SLP but don’t ask us for exemption.”
Ultimately, the bench denied exemption from surrendering and passed the following order:
“We decline the prayer for exemption from surrendering. Issue notice on the SLP returnable in 6 weeks.”
However, on request, the bench gave the petitioner two weeks’ time to surrender.
Background of the Case
In July 2004, a trial court in Amritsar convicted Baljinder Singh under Section 304B IPC, stating that his wife died due to dowry-related cruelty within two years of marriage.
According to the prosecution, the victim was continuously harassed for dowry. On July 18, 2002, the victim's brother and sister-in-law witnessed Singh and his father strangulating her with a chunni, while other family members held her down. The accused fled after they raised an alarm. The woman died on the spot.
The trial court acquitted four co-accused but found Singh guilty. His sentence was suspended during the High Court appeal after he had served over three years in prison.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court, in May 2025, finally upheld his conviction and the 10-year sentence, while setting aside the monetary fine.
“Present case relates to maltreatment of a victim in matrimonial home on account of demand of dowry, resulting into her death by strangulation within two years of marriage. Therefore, conviction pertains to a heinous crime which is against the individual dignity and social consciousness.”
— Punjab & Haryana High Court Observation
The convict then approached the Supreme Court.
Case no. – Diary No. 33782 / 2025
Case Title – Baljinder Singh v. State of Punjab
