The Calcutta High Court has upheld the life imprisonment of a man convicted of murdering a woman with whom he had been living. The division bench found that the chain of circumstantial evidence - particularly the “last seen together” principle and the accused’s conduct after the incident - clearly established his involvement in the crime.
The judgment was delivered on March 12, 2026, by a bench comprising Justice Rajasekhar Mantha and Justice Rai Chattopadhyay while dismissing a criminal appeal filed against the 2014 trial court conviction.
Background of the Case
The case dates back to November 2010 in Jaigaon, in the district of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. According to the prosecution, the victim had been living with the accused, Md. Abdul Mottalab Mia, for several months after leaving her earlier marital home due to alleged abuse.
On November 3, 2010, the victim’s son received a call from the accused claiming that his mother was unwell and needed medical attention. When family members and local residents reached the rented house where the couple was staying, they found it locked from outside.
After breaking open the door with the help of police, they discovered the woman lying motionless on a bed. Blood was seen coming from her nose and mouth, and a strong foul smell filled the room.
A criminal case was registered, and after investigation the accused was charged with murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.
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While examining the evidence, the High Court noted that the victim had been living exclusively with the accused for months before her death, placing her under his “pervasive and exclusive control.”
“The victim was under the exclusive custody of the appellant. He therefore owed an explanation as to what happened to her,” the bench observed.
The court also highlighted the contradictory statements made by the accused immediately after the incident. According to witness testimony, he told one person that the victim had died in an accident, while informing her son that she was merely ill.
“The contradiction reveals the nervousness of the appellant just after the commission of the offence,” the bench noted.
The judges further relied on witness statements showing that the accused was last seen with the victim in the rented house and was seen alone outside the premises early the next morning before he disappeared.
Medical evidence indicated that the woman died due to strangulation, with injuries suggesting compression of the neck muscles. The court also referred to items recovered from the room including a dupatta and a towel which could have been used in the act.
After reviewing the evidence, the High Court concluded that the chain of circumstances left no room for doubt about the accused’s involvement.
“The evidence on record clearly indicates the participation of the appellant in the death of the victim,” the bench stated.
Finding no reason to interfere with the trial court’s findings, the court dismissed the appeal and upheld the conviction and life sentence imposed in 2014.
The bench also directed the appellant to surrender before the court within ten days, noting that his bail bonds stood cancelled.
Case Title:- Md. Abdul Mottalab Mia @ Abdul Mottalab vs The State of West Bengal
Case Number:- CRA 614 of 2014
Judgment Date:- 12 March 2026
