Agartala, May 26, 2026: In a landmark judgment with far-reaching implications on dowry-related crimes, the Supreme Court on Monday upheld the conviction and life imprisonment of Tripura resident Gour Acharjee for the murder of his wife Soma Acharjee, describing the case as one of “simulated hanging” designed to conceal a brutal homicide.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice K.V. Viswanathan dismissed the appeal filed by Gour Acharjee against the earlier verdicts of the Trial Court and the High Court. The apex court also directed the Director General of Police (DGP), Tripura, to immediately form a special team to trace and arrest the convict, who is reportedly absconding.

The case dates back to June 16, 2007, when Soma Acharjee was found hanging inside her matrimonial home barely 15 months after marriage. Her father had lodged an FIR alleging that she had been repeatedly tortured by her husband and in-laws over demands for a motorcycle and cash dowry.

The Supreme Court observed that Soma had repeatedly informed her parents and village elders about the physical and mental torture she endured. Several village meetings and panchayat interventions were held to settle disputes between the families, but each time she was persuaded to return to her matrimonial home. The Court remarked that societal pressure and repeated compromises ultimately failed to protect the young woman.

Medical evidence became the foundation of the prosecution’s case. The post-mortem report revealed multiple injuries on Soma’s body, including a severe head injury caused by a blunt weapon. Doctors found no classic signs of suicidal hanging and concluded that she had been killed first and then hanged to stage the death as suicide.

The Court also relied on testimonies of neighbours and village witnesses who confirmed repeated dowry-related torture and disturbances inside the house shortly before her death.

While Gour Acharjee’s mother and brother had earlier been acquitted due to lack of direct evidence, the Supreme Court held the husband solely responsible, observing that he failed to provide any explanation regarding the injuries sustained by his wife inside their home.

Dismissing the appeal, the apex court reaffirmed that crimes against women within the secrecy of households cannot escape punishment merely due to absence of direct eyewitnesses.