Patiala Court Clears Jasvir Singh in 2008 College Murder After 17-Year Legal Battle
A Patiala court has acquitted Jasvir Singh, also known as Jassu, in a 2008 murder case. The court reached this decision after a lengthy trial spanning seventeen years. It cited significant inconsistencies among witnesses and gaps in the police investigation as key reasons for the acquittal.
Details of the 2008 Incident at Rajpura College
The tragic incident occurred on August 5, 2008, at a private college in Rajpura. Gurwinder Singh, son of Avtar Singh from Navyug Colony, visited the college for admission purposes. He was accompanied by his father Avtar Singh, his uncle Tarlochan Singh, and a friend named Ravinder Singh.
A group of assailants armed with sharp weapons attacked Gurwinder Singh during this visit. The attack resulted in multiple severe injuries to his head, lungs, abdomen, and wrist. Authorities rushed him to a local government hospital initially. Medical staff later referred him to a higher medical institute for advanced care.
Despite these efforts, Gurwinder Singh succumbed to his injuries at PGI Chandigarh. Doctors confirmed the cause of death as hemorrhage and shock. The postmortem examination revealed seventeen fatal injuries on his body.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation Challenges
Police registered FIR No. 184/2008 at City Rajpura police station based on Tarlochan Singh's initial statement. The FIR included charges under Sections 302, 307, 323, 324, 148, and 149 of the Indian Penal Code. Tarlochan Singh's statement named Jasvir Singh and another co-accused, Baghel Singh, as the assailants. Baghel Singh faced conviction in this case.
The prosecution presented sixteen witnesses during the trial. These witnesses included medical doctors and individuals who claimed to have witnessed the incident. However, critical problems emerged with the testimony of key witnesses as the trial progressed.
Tarlochan Singh and the injured Ravinder Singh both turned hostile during court proceedings. They denied any presence or involvement of Jasvir Singh in the attack. Avtar Singh did identify Jasvir Singh in court. But he admitted he was on duty at Durana school in Ambala, approximately fifty-five kilometers away, until 2:05 PM on the day of the incident.
The court noted this admission created serious doubt about Avtar Singh's presence during the attack, which occurred between 2:00 PM and 2:20 PM.
Court's Reasoning for the Acquittal Decision
Additional Sessions Judge of Patiala delivered the judgment granting Jasvir Singh the benefit of doubt. The judge highlighted several discrepancies in the prosecution's case. One notable inconsistency involved injury claims in the FIR that did not match postmortem findings.
The FIR mentioned a wound on the left palm attributed to Jasvir Singh. However, the postmortem report showed no such injury. The court also observed a lack of evidence demonstrating any prior enmity between Jasvir Singh and the deceased.
Investigating officers confirmed during the trial that they found no specific evidence linking Jasvir Singh to the crime. Records indicated Gurwinder Singh had multiple FIRs registered against him, suggesting broader enmities beyond this specific case.
The judgment stated clearly: "The prosecution has failed to establish beyond shadows of doubt the presence of accused Jasvir Singh alias Jassu... hence the case of the prosecution does not stand proved."
Background of the Accused and Current Status
Jasvir Singh resides in Niamatpura village. Authorities declared him a proclaimed offender in 2009. He surrendered to law enforcement in 2022. Police filed a supplementary chargesheet against him in 2025.
The court acquitted him on January 7 of this year. It directed him to furnish bail bonds worth forty-five thousand rupees pending any potential appeal. Defense counsel Simranjit Singh Saggu argued his client faced false implication due to local factionalism and rivalries.
The court order permits the state to file an appeal in the Punjab and Haryana High Court if authorities choose to challenge the acquittal decision.
