Mother Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Murder of Four Children; Husband Acquitted Due to Lack of Evidence

Court Delivers Life Sentence in Sensational Child Murder Case

Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh | September 4, 2026 - The Garoth court in Mandsaur district has sentenced Sugna Bai Banjara to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of her four young children. District and Sessions Judge Niranjan Panchal delivered the verdict on Wednesday, imposing separate life sentences and a fine of Rs 2,000 on the woman for each child's death.

Conversely, Rodhu Singh Banjara, Sugna Bai's husband, was acquitted by the court. The prosecution cited his absence at the time of the incident and a lack of evidence as reasons for his acquittal. Government Advocate Dilip Narwal confirmed that strong arguments and evidence presented by the prosecution led to Sugna Bai being found guilty.

Husband Cleared of Charges

Rodhu Singh Banjara's lawyer, Tufan Singh Sisodiya, argued that police had falsely implicated his client based on incorrect information. He stated that Rodhu Singh was away selling lotus flowers at the time of the incident and had no involvement. Although police arrested Rodhu Singh from Jodhpur, he was later discharged following effective legal representation.

Details of the Shocking Incident

This heartbreaking incident occurred on July 14, 2024, in Pipalkheda village of Garoth tehsil. Around 6 AM, 40-year-old Sugna Bai Banjara allegedly pushed her four children – Bunty (9), Anushka (7), Muskan (4), and Kartik (2) – into a well located on their farm. She then reportedly jumped into the well herself.

Local villagers quickly rescued Sugna Bai from the well, but tragically, all four children succumbed to drowning. Initial investigations suggest that frequent domestic disputes and alcohol-fueled violence between the couple preceded the incident. It is believed that these family conflicts led Sugna Bai to commit this horrific act.

Legal Proceedings and Verdict

Following the incident, the police registered a case and initiated an investigation, leading to Sugna Bai's arrest and appearance in court. The court's decision has provided relief to the innocent husband while ensuring the mother faces justice for her crime.