Ludhiana Court Delivers Life Sentences in 2021 Teen Murder Case
A local court in Ludhiana has handed down life imprisonment to two men for the 2021 murder of an 18-year-old salesman. Investigators described the killing as a pre-planned act of revenge, sparked by a romantic rivalry. Additional Sessions Judge Jaspinder Singh pronounced the verdict against Robin Singh and Kulwinder Singh, both residents of Kaneja village. The court also imposed fines totalling Rs 1 lakh, with 90% of the amount designated as compensation for the victim's family.
The Disappearance and Investigation
The case dates back to December 23, 2021. Tushar Kumar, a garments salesman at Ludhiana's AC Market, vanished shortly after dinner. His father, Varinder Kumar, stated that the teenager told his family he would return in 15 minutes but never came home. Police filed a missing person's report and soon uncovered a conspiracy rooted in personal grievance.
Robin Singh later confessed to authorities that he discovered Tushar Kumar was in a relationship with a woman he was also befriending. Instead of confronting the pair, Robin Singh conspired with his associates to lure Tushar Kumar to his death.
Court's Evaluation of Evidence
The defendants pleaded their innocence during the trial, claiming they were falsely implicated. However, the court found the physical evidence overwhelming. Key factors in the conviction included the recovery of the body, possession of belongings, and the principle of onus of proof.
The victim's body was recovered from a concealed pit based on disclosure statements made by the accused. Items belonging to the deceased were found in locations known exclusively to the convicts. Judge Jaspinder Singh noted that because the body was found at the instance of the accused, the burden shifted to them to explain how they had such specific knowledge. The defence failed to meet this burden.
"There is no evidence on record to suggest that accused Robin Singh and Kulwinder Singh were not involved in the concealment of the dead body," the court observed. "Thus, the chain of circumstances stands fully established, proving beyond reasonable doubt that they committed the murder."
Legal Findings and Family Impact
The court acquitted a third man, Paramjit Kumar, citing a lack of evidence to prove his involvement beyond a reasonable doubt. Additionally, the judge dropped kidnapping charges, noting that the victim had voluntarily accompanied the men because they were friends, unaware of the fatal intent.
For the family of the deceased, the verdict brings a somber conclusion to a four-year wait for justice. Varinder Kumar had initially searched fruitlessly for his son before his supplementary statement led police to the suspects. In determining the sentence, the court ruled that while the crime was a cold-blooded betrayal of friendship, it did not meet the "rarest of rare" legal threshold required for the death penalty.
The convicts remain in custody and have the right to appeal the verdict in a higher court.
