Kanpur Court Awards Life Imprisonment in Heinous Student Murder Case
In a significant verdict that has captured public attention, Additional Sessions Judge Subhash Singh in Kanpur on Thursday sentenced three individuals to life imprisonment for the kidnapping for ransom and brutal murder of 17-year-old student Kushagra Kanodia. The convicts—tutor Rachita Vats, her lover Prabhat Shukla, and their associate Shiva Gupta—were also slapped with a fine of Rs 1.10 lakh each, marking the culmination of a tragic case that has shaken the community.
Chilling Details of the Crime Emerge
The case dates back to October 30, 2023, when Kushagra, a Class 10 student at Jaipuria School and a resident of Raipurwa, went missing after leaving home for his tuition classes. The prosecution revealed a harrowing sequence of events: the accused allegedly kidnapped Kushagra while he was on his way to coaching classes, with the motive to extort money from his family. Prosecutors stated that after the abduction, Prabhat Shukla took the teenager to his residence in Darshan Purwa, where he strangled him with a rope. Shiva Gupta and Rachita Vats were reportedly present at the scene during this horrific act.
Investigators detailed that a ransom letter demanding Rs 30 lakh for Kushagra's "safe release" was then delivered to the family home through Shiva Gupta, who used a scooty belonging to Rachita Vats. This vehicle became a crucial piece of evidence, traced back to Rachita Vats, a resident of Khoya Mandi in Fazalganj, who had previously tutored Kushagra at his home. During police questioning, Rachita allegedly became nervous and disclosed that her boyfriend, Prabhat Shukla, had taken the scooty, leading authorities to Prabhat's house on October 31, where Kushagra's body was recovered from a room.
Prosecution Builds a Strong Case
The prosecution alleged that the motive behind this heinous crime was to arrange money for Prabhat and Rachita to marry and "settle down", and that Kushagra was killed because he knew the perpetrators, highlighting a grave breach of trust in the teacher-student relationship. The FIR was filed at Raipurwa police station by the victim's relative, Sanjay Kanodia, setting the legal process in motion.
During the trial, prosecutors presented a robust case with 14 witnesses, including three family members, to establish the guilt of the accused. Final arguments concluded on January 13, leading to the conviction of all three on Tuesday. The court proceedings were emotionally charged, with family members and the convicts seen weeping in court. Kushagra's mother, Sonia Kanodia, demanded the death penalty, asserting that the crime had shattered trust and the sacred bond between teacher and student. Kushagra's uncle, Sumit Kanodia, echoed this sentiment, vowing that the family would continue to pursue the harshest punishment possible.
Sentencing Hearing and Public Outcry
In the sentencing hearing, District Government Advocate Dileep Awasthi, ADGC Bhaskar Mishra, and counsel for the complainant termed the crime "heinous" and sought capital punishment, emphasizing the severity of the offense. Defence lawyers, however, argued for leniency, citing that it was a first offence, the accused had no prior criminal history, and that Prabhat and Shiva were sole earners in their families, while Rachita was alone in hers.
Despite these pleas, the court upheld the prosecution's arguments, delivering a life sentence. The verdict sparked immediate public reaction, with lawyers and members of the public attempting to assault the convicts on the court premises, reflecting the widespread anger and grief over the loss of a young life. This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in society and the importance of justice in restoring faith in the legal system.
