Mumbai Court Delivers Verdict in 2021 New Year's Eve Murder Case
In a significant ruling, a sessions court in Mumbai has pronounced judgment in the high-profile 2021 New Year's Eve murder case that shocked the city. The court sentenced a 26-year-old man to life imprisonment while acquitting his female co-accused, creating a complex legal outcome that has left the victim's family determined to pursue further legal action.
Court Convicts Shree Jogdhankar, Acquits Diya Padalkar
Additional sessions judge Satyanarayan R. Navander delivered the verdict on Saturday, convicting Shree Jogdhankar of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The court found him guilty of causing the death of 19-year-old Jhanvi Kukreja during a party at Bhagwati Heights in Khar on December 31, 2020.
Meanwhile, the court granted 24-year-old Diya Padalkar the "benefit of doubt" and cleared her of all charges. The contrasting outcomes for the two accused have highlighted the nuanced nature of criminal evidence and judicial interpretation in complex cases.
Gruesome Discovery and Investigation Details
The tragic incident unfolded when Kukreja was found lying dead in a pool of blood on the ground-floor staircase of the high-rise building. She had been attending a New Year's Eve party on the terrace with the two accused and other friends.
The postmortem examination revealed a shocking 48 injuries on Kukreja's body, including a fatal head injury that proved decisive in the court's determination that this was no accidental death. The absence of CCTV footage complicated the investigation, forcing authorities to rely on forensic evidence and witness statements.
Prosecution's Case and Court's Reasoning
According to the prosecution's arguments presented by special public prosecutor Pradip Gharat, Kukreja had been in a relationship with Jogdhankar and became upset when he began flirting with Padalkar during the party. The argument allegedly began on the eighth floor and escalated as the trio descended through the building's staircase.
The court accepted the prosecution's submission that the nature and pattern of injuries indicated Kukreja had been assaulted by Jogdhankar and pushed from the second floor of the staircase. Judge Navander observed, "If someone is pushed or thrown from the second floor, there is every possibility of causing death. The act done by accused number 1 causing death of the deceased amounts to murder."
Evidence That Sealed Jogdhankar's Fate
The court noted several crucial factors in convicting Jogdhankar:
- The seizure of Kukreja's belongings scattered from the eighth floor to the ground floor suggested the assault continued across multiple levels
- Jogdhankar's "cool-headed and indifferent" reaction when informed of the incident by a friend
- His provision of false information at a hospital about the cause of his own injuries
- Inconsistent statements in earlier bail proceedings regarding how he sustained injuries
The court emphasized that there was "not a single circumstance suggesting his innocence" and relied heavily on his conduct following the incident.
Why Padalkar Received Acquittal
In contrast, the court found insufficient evidence to establish Padalkar's direct involvement in causing fatal injuries. The judgment noted that while her presence at the crime scene was established, her "complicity in the commission of the crime is doubtful as there were no injuries caused to her, except for the injury on her lip."
The court specifically mentioned that there was no evidence to show the two accused shared a common intention to murder Kukreja, a crucial element for establishing conspiracy in such cases.
Emotional Courtroom Scenes and Future Legal Battles
Following the sentencing, Jogdhankar told the court he had been falsely implicated and pleaded for leniency, noting he had been in jail since 2021 and had completed his studies during incarceration. His lawyer, Wahab Khan, also argued for mercy based on his client's young age.
Padalkar, who had been granted bail after six months in jail in 2021, broke down in court after hearing the acquittal verdict. She was accompanied by her parents during the emotional proceedings.
However, the legal battle appears far from over. Kukreja's mother, Nidhi, expressed her determination to challenge Padalkar's acquittal. "I have faith in the judiciary. I have attended the court for the last six years, putting our lives on hold just to get justice," she stated, adding that they plan to appeal once the detailed court order is available.
Case Timeline and Procedural Journey
- December 31, 2020–January 1, 2021: The fatal incident occurs during New Year's Eve celebrations
- January 2021: Khar police arrest both Diya Padalkar and Shree Jogdhankar
- June 2021: Padalkar secures bail while Jogdhankar's bail application is rejected
- May 4, 2023: Formal charges are framed against the accused
- June 9, 2023: The trial proceedings officially begin
- August 21, 2025: Jogdhankar withdraws his bail plea as the High Court orders trial completion within three months
- September 12, 2025: Prosecution concludes its case after examining 48 witnesses
- October 13, 2025: Final statements of the accused are recorded
- November 17–28, 2025: Prosecution presents final arguments
- November 29–December 10, 2025: Defense presents its arguments
- January 16, 2026: Court reserves judgment after hearing all submissions
- January 31, 2026: Court delivers the final verdict
This case has drawn significant attention due to its tragic nature, the young ages of all involved, and the complex evidentiary challenges presented by the absence of direct eyewitnesses or CCTV footage. The contrasting verdicts for the two accused highlight how Indian courts carefully weigh evidence in criminal cases, particularly when dealing with circumstantial evidence and establishing common intention in alleged conspiracies.
