Muzaffarnagar Court Sentences Police Constable to Life for Fatal Shooting of Teacher
A Muzaffarnagar court on Wednesday delivered a life imprisonment sentence to a 51-year-old police constable for the fatal shooting of a 35-year-old school teacher during an altercation last year. The incident occurred while the constable was on official duty, involved in the delivery of Uttar Pradesh board examination answer sheets.
Court Finds Head Constable Guilty of Murder
Additional district and sessions judge Sitaram found head constable Chandraprakash guilty under Indian Penal Code section 302 for murder. The victim, Dharmendra Kumar, was killed on March 18, 2024, at SD Inter College within the limits of the Civil Lines police station.
District government counsel Rajeev Sharma provided details of the case. Kumar had traveled from Varanasi to Muzaffarnagar with examination copies. When the team arrived at the college late at night and discovered the gate closed, they waited in their vehicle. During this period, the accused, who was posted at police lines in Varanasi, allegedly confronted them.
"The constable was under the influence of alcohol and demanded tobacco from the staff. When Dharmendra objected, he opened fire with his service carbine, causing fatal injuries," Sharma stated.
Police Response and Investigation
Upon receiving information, police reached the scene and transported Kumar to the district hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. Officers arrested Chandraprakash shortly after the incident and recovered the service weapon used in the shooting.
Investigators recorded statements from teachers and staff present at the location and sent the body for a post-mortem examination. The tragic event sparked protests by local teachers and members of the Uttar Pradesh Shikshak Sangh, who blocked roads demanding compensation and a government job for the victim's family.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Police registered a case under IPC section 302, arrested the accused, and filed a chargesheet within weeks. From the government side, additional district government counsel Privendra Singh and Narendra Sharma argued the case. After a thorough trial, the court awarded life imprisonment to Chandraprakash.
"After trial, the court awarded life imprisonment," Rajeev Sharma added. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the convicted constable, underscoring the severity of the crime.
This case highlights critical issues of police conduct and accountability, particularly when officers are armed and on duty. The swift legal action and sentencing serve as a reminder of the judicial system's role in addressing such grave offenses, ensuring justice for victims and their families.
