Mumbai: Reversing a Sessions Court order in a case of human sacrifice, the Mumbai High Court has awarded life imprisonment to an elderly woman, who severed the head of a child to appease Goddess Mariaai Devi.

However, the verdict has come after the woman, Janabai Digamber Gonjari, passed away in nearby Uran in Raigad district two years ago.

Six-year-old Suvarna Punekar was kidnapped by Janabai and her two associates, Sayabu Chavan and Bhau Chavan, and axed to death in Maswad village of Satara district on October 22, 1986.

The Sessions Court at Satara acquitted all the three accused due to lack of evidence on May 22, 1987. The State moved High Court in appeal which imposed the life sentence on Janabai but upheld the lower court order acquitting the other two accused.

Janabai used to perform black magic in the village. According to villagers, Goddess Mariaai Devi appeared in her dream and asked for human sacrifice. The body of the child was found in a remote place in the village. Janabai's associates turned approvers.

After seeking bail, Janabai moved from Maswad village and settled down in Uran where she passed away on October 14, 2001.

However, the appeal of the State Government was heard recently by the High Court which quashed the lower court order and granted lifer to Janabai.