Indian court orders care and education for children of death-row convict

An Additional Sessions Court in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, sentenced a man to death and directed the district administration to safeguard the future of his two minor sons, The Hindu reported. Judge Biplab Roy ordered the District Magistrate of Jalpaiguri to ensure the children’s physical and mental wellbeing. The administration was also directed to protect their educational future.

The judge said that the sins of a parent should not be visited upon the child. The observation accompanied the directions concerning the two minors, who were identified in the supplied material only by their relationship to the convict. The available report did not state the offence for which the man was convicted, identify the children or provide details of the evidence and arguments in the case.

It also did not say whether the death sentence had been appealed or describe how the district administration would implement the court’s order. The court’s directions were presented as a separate protection for the children, regardless of their father’s conviction and sentence.