A court in Varanasi has delivered a long-awaited verdict in a brutal decade-old murder case, sentencing five individuals to life imprisonment for killing a cable operator over trade rivalry. The ADJ/Special Judge (POCSO-2) pronounced the sentence on Saturday, bringing a measure of closure to a case that dates back to 2012.
The Gruesome Crime and the Accused
The victim, cable operator Pushkar Shukla, was beaten to death with sticks and cricket stumps on December 16, 2012, in a dispute that erupted over the snapping of a cable wire. The attack was reportedly rooted in professional rivalry within the cable television trade. A case was subsequently registered at the Shivpur police station against the five accused.
After a detailed trial, the court found the following individuals guilty of the murder:
- Bunty Singh alias Raj Singh
- Pintu Singh alias Dileep
- Vikram Pratap Singh alias Golu
- Bhanu Keshari alias Golu
- Tej Narayan Singh alias Saltu Singh
The Trial and Prosecution's Case
Special Public Prosecutor Santosh Kumar Singh Nitin Pandey led the prosecution's charge, presenting a total of 19 witnesses before the court to secure the conviction. The trial saw significant judicial oversight, with the prosecutor noting that there was a specific Supreme Court direction mandating day-to-day recording of testimony to ensure the proceedings were conducted swiftly and without unnecessary delays.
This directive played a crucial role in moving the case towards its conclusion, underscoring the judiciary's focus on expediting justice in serious crimes.
Verdict and Sentencing
Upon finding the five accused guilty, the court handed down the maximum sentence of life imprisonment. In addition to the prison term, the judge also imposed a fine on the convicted individuals. The verdict underscores the severe consequences of violent crimes driven by business competition and personal disputes.
The sentencing marks the end of a legal battle that lasted over a decade, highlighting the persistence required by both the legal system and the victim's family to see justice served. The case serves as a stark reminder that violent retribution for trade disputes will be met with the full force of the law.
