Hisar District Court Awards Life Imprisonment in 2021 Labourer Murder Case
The District and Sessions Court in Hisar has delivered a significant verdict, sentencing two individuals to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of a labourer in 2021. The court firmly rejected the defence's argument that the victim succumbed to stray dog bites, instead upholding the prosecution's case of premeditated homicide.
Court Convicts Accused Under Murder and Common Intention Charges
Sessions Judge Alka Malik found 27-year-old Sanjay Mukhia and 50-year-old Jagnarayan, also known as Boku Mukhia, guilty under Section 302 (murder) read with Section 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. The conviction pertains to the murder of Rodhi Mukhia, a labourer, in Petwar village within Hisar district.
Details of the 2021 Incident and False Dog Bite Narrative
According to the prosecution, the tragic event unfolded on the evening of January 9, 2021, when the accused assaulted the victim with a brick and a wooden stick, resulting in fatal head injuries. The court noted that after committing the crime, the accused attempted to mislead law enforcement by falsely reporting that the victim had been attacked and killed by stray dogs in the area.
Evidence Presented and Court's Observations
The judgment was based on a comprehensive array of circumstantial evidence, which included:
- Last-seen testimony placing the victim with the accused
- Extra-judicial confession made by the accused
- Medical evidence from the post-mortem examination
- Suspicious conduct of the accused following the incident
- Recovery of the deceased's mobile phone from the possession of the accused
The post-mortem report played a crucial role, conclusively establishing that the cause of death was ante-mortem head injury, directly contradicting the dog bite claim put forward by the defence.
Sentencing and Additional Penalties Imposed
Pronouncing the sentence on Wednesday, the court awarded life imprisonment to both convicted individuals and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 each. Failure to pay the fine will result in additional imprisonment. Furthermore, the court sentenced them to two years of rigorous imprisonment with another fine of Rs 50,000 each under Section 203 IPC for providing false information to the police. All substantive sentences will run concurrently.
Compensation for Victim's Family and Legal Directions
In a move toward restorative justice, the court directed that 90% of the fine amount, if realized, be paid as compensation to the legal heirs of the deceased. The remaining amount will be deposited into the state exchequer. Additionally, the District Legal Services Authority in Hisar has been instructed to process compensation for the victim's family in accordance with established rules and regulations.
Background of the Case and Custody Status
Both convicts have been in judicial custody since their arrest in February 2021. The court has ruled that the period already undergone in custody will be set off against their sentence, ensuring proper accounting of their time served during the trial process.
