Indian Man Sentenced to Death for Burning Wife Over Dark Skin Colour

A court in India has sentenced a man to death for the brutal murder of his wife, whom he burned alive due to her skin color.

The victim, Lakshmi, had spoken out before her death, stating that her husband, Kishandas, frequently mocked her for being dark-skinned. District Judge Rahul Choudhary, presiding over the case in Udaipur, described the crime as one of the “rarest of the rare” and a “crime against humanity.” Kishandas’s lawyer has claimed his client is innocent and plans to appeal the ruling.

Lakshmi’s murder, which occurred eight years ago, has drawn renewed attention to the issue of colorism in India. On June 24, 2017, Kishandas brought home a bottle containing a brown liquid, claiming it was a medicine to lighten her skin.

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When Lakshmi complained about the smell, he set her on fire using an incense stick. After she caught fire, he poured the remaining liquid on her and fled the scene.

Kishandas’s family took Lakshmi to the hospital, but she later succumbed to her injuries. Judge Choudhary condemned the act, stating it was not only a crime against Lakshmi but also against humanity, highlighting the extreme cruelty exhibited by Kishandas during the attack.

Public prosecutor Dinesh Paliwal described the court’s decision as “historic,” expressing hope that it would serve as a lesson for society. He emphasized that Lakshmi was a young woman loved by her family, stating, “A young woman in her early 20s was murdered brutally. She was someone’s sister, someone’s daughter, there were people who loved her. If we don’t save our daughters, then who would?” he said.

The judgment has reignited discussions about India’s troubling preference for fair skin, which often leads to discrimination against those with darker complexions.

Women and girls with darker skin frequently face derogatory treatment, and the market for skin-lightening products remains a multi-billion dollar industry.

Despite ongoing efforts by activists to challenge these deep-rooted biases, changing societal attitudes remains a significant challenge, with many lives still affected by discrimination.