One very emotional ruling has come out from Bombay High Court recently and honestly,it is kind of news that stays with you for a while . Court ordered return of personal belongings of late Jhanvi Kukreja to her mother Niddhi Kukreja on July 9,2026 . And the items involved… they are not just objects.
Jhanvi Kukreja was only 19 years old,a psychology student from Santacruz,when she was murdered on night of December 31,2020 . Following party at Bhagwati Heights in Khar,she was assaulted and eventually lost her life . One young person,one night,and everything just changed forever for her family .
These belongings — sandals,silver earrings,bracelet,diamond ring,dress and mobile phone — had been seized as evidence during investigation . Advocate Trivankumar Karnani,representing Niddhi,described them as the "last tangible memories" of Jhanvi . And honestly,when you hear that phrase in courtroom context,it hits differently.
Justice Shivkumar Dige heard petition filed by Niddhi and allowed return of items with one condition — photographs of all articles must be taken before handover . This ensures that proper record exists for any future legal proceedings . Small but sensible step from court side.
And what made this petition even more straightforward is that ownership was never even disputed at any point during proceedings .
Few key facts from this case:
- Niddhi identified her daughter's belongings during her own testimony and ownership was never contested by anyone.
- Special Public Prosecutor Pradip Gharat supported mother's plea,recognizing sentimental value of items.
- Niddhi has also separately appealed against acquittal of co-accused Diya Sameer Padalkar,arguing decision contradicted evidence presented at trial.
Earlier this year,sessions court found Shree Ambadas Jogdhankar guilty of Jhanvi's murder and sentenced him to life imprisonment . But Diya Sameer Padalkar was acquitted due to lack of sufficient evidence . That acquittal is now being challenged by Niddhi in High Court,and that fight is still very much ongoing .
For mother who has been sitting through trials,testimonies and legal proceedings since 2020… getting back daughter's earrings and phone must feel like something. Not closure exactly,because closure in situations like this probably never fully comes . But something.
And this is where it gets uncomfortable to think about too deeply . These objects were last things Jhanvi wore or carried on that New Year's Eve . A bracelet,a ring,sandals… all tagged and filed as evidence for years while family waited outside courtroom doors.
The appeal against Padalkar's acquittal is still pending and nobody really knows how that will go . Niddhi clearly believes the evidence pointed in different direction and she is not willing to accept that chapter as closed . Whether High Court agrees with her or not…that is question still hanging in air right now for this family.
