In a decisive judgment highlighting the severity of crimes against family members, a sessions court in Barabanki has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his own sister. The verdict, delivered on Thursday, comes nearly one-and-a-half years after the shocking incident that took place in June 2024.
The Gruesome Crime and Swift Arrest
According to the prosecution's case, the tragic event unfolded on the morning of June 28, 2024, in the Nai Basti locality under the jurisdiction of the Safdarganj police station. The victim, Jamila Bano (30), had been staying at her parental home for approximately two-and-a-half months. Her brother, Usman, allegedly launched a vicious attack on her using an axe, inflicting fatal blows before brutally killing her by slitting her neck.
Family members present in the house raised an alarm, but their intervention came too late. Usman had already carried out the fatal assault. The victim's mother, Zohra Bano, lodged a formal complaint against her son, stating that he had also threatened to kill her when she tried to stop him.
Investigation and Crucial Testimony
Acting promptly on the complaint, the police registered an FIR and initiated an investigation under the supervision of the then Station House Officer (SHO), Sudhir Kumar Singh. The accused was arrested soon after, and the axe used as the murder weapon was recovered. Following a thorough probe, the police filed a chargesheet in the court.
During the trial, the prosecution examined seven key witnesses. The testimony of the victim's mother, Zohra Bano, proved to be pivotal. In her statement before the court, she revealed that Usman lived in a separate room within the same house and harboured strong suspicions about Jamila's character.
Barabanki SP Arpit Vijayvargiya recounted her account: "She told the court that around 5 am on the day of the incident, while she was in the courtyard, Usman suddenly emerged with an axe and attacked Jamila repeatedly."
Court's Verdict and Sentencing
After hearing all arguments and meticulously examining the evidence presented, Additional Sessions Judge Rakesh Kumar Singh found Usman guilty of murder. The court delivered a stern verdict, sentencing him to life imprisonment.
In addition to the life term, the court also imposed a fine of ₹80,000 on the convict. This verdict underscores the judiciary's firm stance against violent crimes, even those occurring within the confines of a family, ensuring that justice is served for the victim.
