Jammu:
A local court on Sunday sentenced a lawyer to death for killing his pregnant wife a decade ago.
Principal District and Sessions Judge Jang Bhadur Singh Jamwal awarded the death sentence to Subash Chander, the advocate.
"The accused has been a practising advocate till he was arrested in this case and was aware about the consequences of the offence he was going to commit," the judge observed.
On September 9, 2001, Chander pushed his wife into Tawi river while she was taking bath at its bank, the prosecution said.
"The deceased was a teacher in a school and was an asset and loved by the society. The act of the accused has shaken the conscience of the court.
"The accused/convict has also committed breach of trust with his own profession and spread a message in the society that parents of a girl will think twice before deciding to marry her with an advocate," the court observed.
"In case this type of person is treated leniently, certainly the womanhood will be shattered and lose confidence in the administration of the criminal justice system," the judge said.
"There is no possibility of the accused being reformed and in case, he is permitted to remain on the earth, there is every likelihood that the people may lose faith in the courts for not punishing the accused as per the offence," the court said.