Ludhiana Fast-Track Court Delivers Verdict in 2021 Birthday Party Murder Case
A local fast-track court in Ludhiana has delivered a significant verdict, sentencing two men for the brutal 2021 murder of a young man that occurred during a birthday celebration. The violent incident, which escalated from a dispute over an iPhone gift, resulted in the tragic death of Randeep Singh. Additional sessions judge Sandeep Singh Bajwa presided over the case, ensuring justice was served through a thorough legal process.
Conviction and Sentencing Details
The court convicted Mandeep Singh, a resident of Dashmesh Nagar, and Harpreet Singh, from Dakha, for their roles in the killing. In addition to the conviction, the court imposed substantial fines on the perpetrators. Mandeep Singh was fined ₹11,000, while Harpreet Singh faced a fine of ₹10,000. This financial penalty underscores the gravity of their actions and serves as a deterrent against such violent crimes in the community.
The Fateful Night: A Celebration Turns Deadly
The tragic events unfolded on November 13, 2021, when a group of friends gathered to celebrate a birthday. Initially, the atmosphere was festive as the group cut a cake and then moved to a local eatery in Hans Kalan village to continue the celebrations. However, the mood quickly soured when members of the group pressured Mandeep Singh to gift his old iPhone to the birthday boy. Influenced by alcohol, Mandeep and Harpreet began verbally abusing their friends, which soon escalated into a physical altercation outside the venue.
The Brutal Assault and Fatal Consequences
According to testimony from the victim's brother, Ravinderjit Singh, the situation turned deadly when the group attempted to intervene in the fighting. Mandeep Singh pulled a dagger-like knife from his waist, and as Randeep Singh tried to disarm him, Harpreet Singh allegedly pinned Randeep from behind. Harpreet urged Mandeep to "teach him a lesson", leading to Mandeep stabbing Randeep in the right armpit.
When other friends, including the complainant and Lakhveer Singh, tried to help the victim, they were also attacked. Mandeep stabbed them in the waist and abdomen, respectively. The attackers then fled the scene on motorcycles. Randeep Singh was rushed to the civil hospital in Jagraon, where he tragically succumbed to excessive bleeding, marking a devastating end to what began as a joyous celebration.
Legal Proceedings and Court's Decision
The Jagraon Sadar police initially booked the two accused under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for charges including murder, criminal intimidation, and voluntarily causing hurt. During the trial, the accused pleaded false implication, but the court found the evidence and eyewitness testimony from the survivors to be compelling and sufficient for conviction. The police had presented a comprehensive chargesheet following their arrests in 2021, which ultimately led to the final sentencing this week, highlighting the effectiveness of the judicial process in addressing violent crimes.
