In a gripping legal twist, the Madras High Court on Thursday, November 27, 2025, confirmed the conviction of a stalker who shocked Chennai by pushing a young college woman to her death off a running train in 2022. But hold your breath — the court changed his harsh death sentence to life imprisonment! However, this isn’t a free pass. The convict, D. Sathish, must serve at least 20 years with no chance of remission before any release. The case was heard by a sharp Division Bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and M. Jothiraman. They agreed with the State Public Prosecutor Hasan Mohamed Jinnah, calling the crime “grave” and clear that no one has the right to take another’s life, especially when the woman had bravely rejected his love proposal. Yet, the judges also listened carefully to senior counsel R. John Sathyan, who defended Sathish. He argued that punishments should not just be about hitting back hard but also about helping the criminal change. "Courts must strike a balance," he said. The verdict quoted this new angle saying, “It is to be noted that the principle of reformation has gained importance in the criminal jurisprudence and is a significant factor while awarding sentence to the accused.” The court stressed that the convict’s youth, clean record, and visible remorse mean he has a real chance to change and reintegrate into society. Justice Kumar, writing the verdict, dropped a legal bombshell: “The case on hand would not fall within the category of ‘rarest of rare’ cases.” He pointed out that when there is hope for reform, courts should prioritize that over rushing to punish. So, while the crime remains shocking, the Madras High Court’s decision serves a strong message — justice is not just about revenge but also about hope for a better tomorrow.