Arguments on convict’s appeal begin in HC

“The arguments began on Monday and evidence of three witnesses was read out. The arguments will continue on a daily basis here on,” said defence lawyer Rahul Kate.

Principal district and sessions judge Anant Badar had awarded death penalty to the duo in March this year after finding them guilty of abducting,gang-raping and murdering Jyotikumari in 2007.

Kokade and Borate challenged the death sentence in the High Court on April 24 and the appeal was admitted by the High Court bench of justice V M Kanade and justice P D Kode on May 4.

Jyotikumari,who hailed from Uttar Pradesh,was a science graduate from the University of Pune. She had joined Wipro BPO (then called Spectramind) as an associate in December 2006 and was staying with her sister and brother-in-law in Panchavati area of Pashan. Around 10 pm on November 1,2007,the last day of her notice period with the company,Borate along with Kokade had picked her up in the office cab for her night shift. Her body was found the next day near Gahunje village with strangulation wounds and cut marks on the right hand.