Indian Man Sentenced to Death for Burning Wife Over Skin Color Dispute

Mon Sep 15 2025 10:53:57 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A disturbing case in India has highlighted societal colorism as a man receives the death penalty for murdering his wife after repeatedly taunting her about her dark skin.

In a chilling verdict, a court in Udaipur, India, has sentenced Kishandas to death for the brutal murder of his wife, Lakshmi, whom he burned alive over her skin color. The case, drawing attention to issues of colorism, has sparked discussions on societal prejudices and the need for change.

This article contains details some people may find distressing.

A court in India has given the death penalty to a man for burning alive his wife over her skin colour.

In her statements before her death, Lakshmi had said that her husband Kishandas routinely taunted her for being dark skinned.

District Judge Rahul Choudhary in the northern city of Udaipur explained the death penalty saying the murder fell in the category of rarest of the rare and it was a crime against humanity.

Kishandas's lawyer told the BBC that his client was innocent and that they would appeal against the order.

Lakshmi's murder eight years back and the judgement, delivered at the weekend, have made headlines in a country where public obsession with colourism is well documented.

The attack on Lakshmi took place on the night of 24 June 2017, according to the court order seen by the BBC.

Kishandas had reportedly brought a plastic bottle with a brown liquid, claiming it was a remedy to make her skin fairer. After applying the liquid, he set her on fire when she expressed concern about its smell. Lakshmi suffered severe burns and was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to the hospital.

The judge condemned the act as one that shocks the conscience of humanity, emphasizing the need for societal change regarding colorism. Public prosecutor Dinesh Paliwal called the verdict historic and expressed hope that it would deter similar future acts.

This case has drawn attention to the pervasive discrimination based on skin color in India, where lighter skin is often preferred, affecting women's lives in various aspects, including marriage and employment opportunities.