Bijnor Court Hands Life Sentence to Two Truck Drivers for Brutal Murder and High-Value Scrap Robbery
A district court in Bijnor has delivered a significant verdict, sentencing two men to life imprisonment for the cold-blooded murder of a 50-year-old truck driver from Chandigarh and the theft of scrap metal valued at approximately Rs 1.5 crore, along with his vehicle. The crime, which sent shockwaves through the region, occurred in January 2022 and involved a meticulously planned robbery that ended in tragedy.
Details of the Gruesome Crime and Investigation
The victim, identified as Narayan Prasad, a resident of Maloya village in Chandigarh, was transporting a consignment of scrap from Bihar to Chandigarh when he met his untimely demise. His body was discovered on January 24, 2022, in the Nahtaur area of Bijnor district, bearing signs of a brutal assault. Preliminary investigations quickly pointed towards homicide, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
Based on a formal complaint lodged by the victim's son, Rakesh, at the Nahtaur police station on January 27, 2022, an FIR was registered against unknown persons under several sections of the Indian Penal Code. These included Section 302 for murder, Section 201 for causing the disappearance of evidence, and Section 394 for robbery. The case was taken up with urgency, given the severity of the offense.
How the Murder and Robbery Unfolded
Bijnor Superintendent of Police Abhishek Jha provided a detailed account of the events leading to the crime. The convicts, Gurdeep Singh from Rasulpur Abad village under the Afzalgarh police station in Bijnor district, and Gurmeet Singh from Lal Tappad under the Doiwala police station in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, were both truck drivers by profession. They first encountered Narayan Prasad at a restaurant in Bahraich district on January 23, 2022.
"The duo offered to assist Narayan, falsely claiming they were from Bijnor and familiar with the area," stated SP Jha. "Gurmeet later joined Narayan in his truck, gaining his trust under the guise of help."
The trio proceeded to consume alcohol near Dhampur town in Bijnor district, where Gurdeep and Gurmeet conspired to rob Narayan. They enlisted the help of accomplices to execute their plan. Gurmeet then drove the truck to a secluded stretch on the Nahtaur-Haldaur road. When Narayan regained consciousness and requested to resume driving, the convicts and their associates forcibly removed him from the vehicle.
In a violent act, they struck him on the head with an iron rod, resulting in his death. The perpetrators dumped his body in nearby bushes, robbed Rs 40,000 from his pocket, and made off with the scrap-laden truck, which contained goods worth crores of rupees.
Police Action and Recovery of Stolen Goods
The stolen vehicle was taken to a godown in Jigriwala under the Afzalgarh police station, where the scrap was transferred to two other trucks with the assistance of scrap dealers. Acting on credible intelligence, the police conducted a raid on the premises, leading to the arrest of the convicts. During the operation, law enforcement officials successfully recovered two trucks, a car, and the looted scrap, which was valued at Rs 1.5 crore.
Following a thorough investigation, the police filed a chargesheet in court, presenting compelling evidence against the accused. The judicial process culminated on Saturday when the court found Gurdeep Singh and Gurmeet Singh guilty of the charges. In addition to the life imprisonment sentences, the court imposed a fine of Rs 70,000 on each convict, underscoring the gravity of their actions.
Broader Implications and Conclusion
This case highlights the dangers faced by long-haul truck drivers and the importance of robust law enforcement in tackling organized crime. The conviction serves as a stern warning to those who engage in such heinous acts, demonstrating that justice will be served, even in complex cases involving cross-state criminal activities.
The Bijnor police's diligent efforts in solving this murder and robbery have been commended, bringing closure to the victim's family and reinforcing public trust in the judicial system. As the convicts begin their life terms, this verdict stands as a testament to the rule of law and the pursuit of justice in India.
