Case:- VASANTA SAMPAT DUPARE vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS.
Citation:- 2025 INSC 1043
Date:- 25.08.2025
Bench:- Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sanjay Karol, Justice Sandeep Mehta.
Timeline of the Case:-
- In 2008, The Trial Court at Nagpur convicted Vasanta Smapat Dupare and awarded death sentence for raping and murdering a 4 year old girl.
- In 2013, in the appeal by Dupare, The Hon’ble Bombay High Court upheld conviction & death penalty
- On 26th November, 2014, In the appeal, 3 Judge Bench of Hon’ble Supreme Court confirmed the Hon’ble High Court decision and upheld the death penalty.
- On 3rd May 2017, Dupare’s review petition was dismissed by the Supreme Court.
- In 2022 and 2023, Dupare’s mercy petition dismissed by the Governor of Maharashtra and President of India respectively
- In 2025, Dupare filed a writ petition under Article 32 in Hon’ble Supreme Court, challenging his death penalty citing Manoj v. State of MP (2022) safeguards were not followed.
- On 28th August 2025, the Hon’ble Supreme Court allowed Article 32 petition. It held it can reopen the sentencing stage in death penalty cases emphasizing the protection of fair trial, individualized sentencing, dignity, and equal treatment under Article 14 and Article 21 (safeguards in Manoj v. State of MP (2022).
The Supreme Court upheld Dupare’s conviction but set aside his 2017 death sentence, stressing that Article 32 cannot be a routine backdoor and applies only for serious breaches of safeguards. The case now goes to CJI BR Gavai for fresh sentencing.
