In a significant ruling, the Mandla District Court sentenced Hari Soni, also known as Harish Soni, to death for his involvement in the notorious Maneri murder case, which occurred on July 15, 2020. The court, led by Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Kumar Sinha, classified the case as 'rare to rarest' due to the brutal nature of the crime, where Soni, along with his brother, murdered six relatives using an axe and sword. The judge noted that this heinous act was an extreme crime against humanity, emphasizing the moral responsibility of the judiciary to deliver justice in such tragic instances.

The murder case stemmed from long-standing familial disputes, primarily revolving around the Prime Minister's Housing Scheme, which reportedly created tensions between the two families. During the violent incident, both the deceased and the perpetrators were cousins, and the discord had escalated to a point where it led to the tragic loss of life. Following the incident, five other individuals were also seriously injured, highlighting the severity of the attack and the dire consequences of familial conflicts.

This case serves as a critical reminder of the potential for domestic disputes to escalate into severe criminal acts. It underscores the importance of conflict resolution and the need for social interventions to prevent further tragedies arising from similar situations. The court's decision to impose the death penalty reflects societal rejection of such brutality and could set a precedent for handling similar cases in the future, reinforcing the legal system's role in punishing extreme criminal behavior.