Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 26: The Court of Principal Sessions Judge, Udhampur, Virinder Singh Bhou, has awarded rigorous imprisonment for life to five convicts in the Chenani murder case arising out of FIR No. 135/2020, Police Station Chenani, holding them guilty for offences including murder (Section 302 IPC) and attempt to murder (Section 307 IPC).
The convicts are Pahar Singh alias Parshotam, Radha Devi, Harish Singh, Anil Singh and Arnood Singh @ Rajesh, all tried in Sessions Case (Murder) No. 13/2021.
The Court recorded that the prosecution case was that the alleged occurrence stemmed from an illicit relationship between accused Pahar Singh and Radha Devi, which was opposed by the deceased Vijay Kumar and complainant Gurdeep Singh.
As per the prosecution version noted in the judgment, Gurdeep Singh reported that on the intervening night of 12/13-12-2020 around 01:00 AM, persons came to his house and demanded that the door be opened, following which the assault took place.
The Court also referred to evidence of eyewitnesses, including PW Payal Devi, who stated that the accused broke open the door at around 1 AM and assaulted Vijay Kumar—alleging use of sticks, a toka, and an iron pipe during the attack.
On conviction, the Court held that the prosecution proved the charge of murder of Vijay Kumar and attempt to murder Gurdeep Singh, and recorded additional findings that Pahar Singh destroyed evidence attracting Section 201 IPC, and Anil Singh was proved to be in possession/use of toka leading to conviction under Section 4/25 Arms Act.
While the prosecution pressed for maximum punishment, the Court held that the case does not fall within the “rarest of rare” category warranting death penalty.
The Court sentenced the convicts to life imprisonment under Section 302 IPC with a fine of ₹10,000 each, 10 years RI under Section 307 IPC with a fine of ₹5,000 each, and 7 years RI under Section 458 IPC with a fine of ₹5,000 each, besides other sentences and fines under Sections 147, 148 and 323 IPC; all sentences were directed to run concurrently.
The UT was represented by Mr Hemanshu Parkash and Mr Vinay Sharma, Ld. PPs, while the convicts were represented by Mr Imtiaz Mir, Mr Jahangir Iqbal Ganai and Mr Obaid Imtiaz, Advocates. (JNF) |
