Mathura Court Hands Down Life Sentence in Facebook-Friend Murder Case
A court in Mathura has delivered a stern verdict, sentencing a man to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of a 24-year-old woman from Delhi. The victim, Johra Khatun, had initially connected with the convict, Saddam Hussain, through the social media platform Facebook. The relationship turned deadly when she persistently pressured him to marry her, leading to a fatal attack in July 2023.
Details of the Tragic Incident and Legal Proceedings
The horrific incident unfolded on July 26, 2023, near the Cantt Kali Temple under the jurisdiction of the Sadar police station in Mathura. Johra Khatun, a resident of Jogabai Extension in Jamia, New Delhi, was lured to Mathura by Saddam Hussain under the false pretext of seeking medical treatment. Instead, he took her to Syed Mazar and stabbed her multiple times, inflicting grievous injuries.
Passersby, alerted by her screams, rushed to the scene and promptly informed the police. Khatun was initially taken to the district hospital in Mathura but was later transferred to SN Medical College in Agra due to the severity of her condition. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries on July 30, 2023. The victim, daughter of a vegetable vendor, had managed to file a First Information Report (FIR) at the Sadar police station before her death, explicitly naming Saddam Hussain as the perpetrator.
Court Verdict and Additional Penalties
Following a thorough investigation, the police registered a case under IPC section 302 (murder) along with relevant provisions of the Arms Act. Saddam Hussain was arrested and subsequently sent to jail. A chargesheet was filed in court weeks later, and although he was granted bail during the trial, the judicial process continued unabated.
After the completion of the trial, the court of Additional Sessions Judge Arvind Kumar Yadav pronounced the verdict on Tuesday, finding the accused guilty of murder. In addition to the life imprisonment sentence, the court imposed a fine of Rs 31,000 on the convict. Additional District Government Counsel (ADGC) KK Pathak clarified that failure to pay this fine would result in an additional two years of imprisonment for the accused.
Background of the Accused and Broader Implications
Saddam Hussain, aged 30, used to work at his father's tailoring shop prior to the incident. This case highlights the dark side of online relationships and the potential dangers associated with social media interactions. It underscores the importance of vigilance and caution when forming connections in the digital age, especially when such relationships transition into the physical world.
The verdict serves as a significant reminder of the judiciary's commitment to delivering justice in cases of heinous crimes. It also brings a measure of closure to the victim's family, who endured the tragic loss of their daughter under such violent circumstances. The legal outcome reinforces the message that such acts of violence will be met with stringent punishment under the law.
