CHITRADURGA: Chitradurga district court judge S B Vastramath delivered another quick verdict on Monday, this time sentencing a man who killed his wife to life imprisonment within 13 days of the crime. Sridhar (28), who bludgeoned to death his wife Sakamma (26) on June 27 suspecting her fidelity, was convicted on the basis of the evidence given by his three-and-a-half-year-old son.
Judge Vastramath is winning the respect of the legal fraternity in Karnataka and hearts of the public for his speedy judgments. On July 7, he had sentenced a 75-year-old man to life imprisonment just 11 days after the latter murdered his 65-year-old wife. Last year, the judge was in the news when he ordered a compensation of Rs 1.14 crore to the families of 14 people killed in an accident in Molakalmuru in Chitradurga district in just 18 days – said to be the fastest judgment in a motor vehicle accident case in the country.
Speaking to TNIE, Vastramath said he believes that speedy justice by the courts is the need of the hour. “It’s more so in the case of criminal justice as it helps maintain societal harmony,” he said. Other than the speedy redress, the 54-year-old judge is also known to be a socially committed person who takes a keen interest in environment and conservation, and students’ welfare among other things.
Vastramath said awarding death penalty to three men accused of rape and torture of a woman in Kolar was his most memorable judgment. “It was the statement given by the rape victim who survived for six months that played a key role in the judgment,” he said. Another landmark in his career, he said, was awarding life imprisonment to three accused of murder in Magadi Kere (Chikkamagaluru district). Hailing from a humble farming family in Siddapura village of Haveri district, Vastramath completed his schooling in his native village.
Judge applauded for speedy verdicts
Hailing from a humble farming family in Siddapura village of Haveri district, Vastramath completed his schooling in his native village. After completing his law course and practising as a lawyer for a brief period, he took the Judicial Services Examination and became a magistrate. While serving in Molakalmuru’s magistrate court, he was appreciated for the speedy verdicts delivered. He won 72 points against the target of 10 under a system to evaluate judges -- a point is awarded for each judgment, which means Vastramath delivered 72 judgments though his target was 10.