What did she, of all people, do to deserve such punishment?

Yet never, surely, was there a man who deserved punishment more.

If he deserved punishment, what more would you have?

"I deserve far worse punishment than being put in my place."

"I have deserved punishment often before, and not received it."

But no one knew what they'd done to deserve punishment.

What had minor government office workers done to deserve such punishment?

"There is no question that the act deserves punishment," the judge said.

What has she done to you to deserve punishment at your hands?

As such they don't deserve punishment, rather understanding and sympathy.