In a deeply disturbing case from Ludhiana, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has confirmed the conviction and death sentence of Sonu Singh for the rape and murder of a minor child. The Court examined both the trial court’s decision and the legal standards required for confirming a death penalty.
Background of the Case
The case arose from an incident on December 28, 2023, when a four-year-old girl, referred to by the Court as “Laadli,” went missing from her grandfather’s tea stall in Ludhiana.
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According to the prosecution, Sonu Singh, who was known to the family, took the child on the pretext of playing and later committed sexual assault and murder. Her body was discovered the same day, concealed inside a bed box in a nearby house where the accused had been staying.
The trial court convicted Sonu Singh under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and Section 302 IPC, awarding him the death penalty.
The High Court noted that the case was based on circumstantial evidence, particularly the “last seen” theory. The Court found that the child was last seen with the accused shortly before her death, and her body was recovered from the house where he had been staying.
“The evidence establishes that the accused had taken the child with him… and thereafter she was never seen alive,” the bench observed.
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The forensic report confirmed the presence of the accused’s DNA in samples collected from the victim. Medical evidence also established sexual assault followed by death due to throttling.
This scientific evidence significantly strengthened the prosecution’s case.
The Court refused to rely on CCTV footage presented by the prosecution, noting serious flaws in how the evidence was collected and preserved.
It observed that the footage was incomplete and possibly edited, making it unreliable.
The alleged confession made by the accused to a witness was also rejected. The Court found the testimony doubtful and stated that it appeared “introduced” during investigation without sufficient credibility.
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Mobile location data placed the accused near the crime scene during the relevant time and showed movement towards the railway station shortly after, suggesting absconding behavior.
The Court emphasized that while the “last seen” theory alone is insufficient, it can form a strong link when supported by other evidence.
It further noted that once the prosecution establishes such circumstances, the burden shifts to the accused to explain facts within his knowledge something the accused failed to do.
After examining the entire record, the High Court concluded that the chain of circumstances was complete and pointed only to the guilt of the accused.
The Court upheld the conviction and confirmed the death sentence awarded by the trial court.
Case Title: State of Punjab vs Sonu Singh
Case Number: MRC-2-2025 & CRA-D-658-2025
Judges: Justice Anoop Chitkara & Justice Sukhvinder Kaur
Decision Date: 19 March 2026
