Court acquits man from charge of killing wife

A court Thursday acquitted a mentally-ill man of the charge of killing his wife, saying that at the time of the incident, he was of "unsound mind".

Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau, while acquitting 70-year-old Brij Mohan from the charges of killing his wife and attempt to suicide, held that his medical record established that at the time of the incident, he was of unsound mind.

The judge said that though it was proved that he killed his wife, and thereafter attempted to commit suicide by consuming a corrosive substance, but the medical record established he was incapable of knowing the nature of his act or that what he was doing was wrong on contrary to law.

"Hence in view of the same, I acquit the accused Brij Mohan for 'he knew not what he was doing'," the judge said.

The court also observed that the manner Brij Mohan killed his wife and then consumed a corrosive substance acid to harm himself exhibited the bizarre nature of the act.

Considering the medical history of accused, the court directed he be shifted to Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences at Dilshad Garden in east Delhi and his custody be handed over to its director. The court directed the institute to provide treatment for his mental ailments.