Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 27: Principal Sessions Judge, Kathua, Sanjay Dhar has awarded life impriosnment to a murder accused.
The judge sentenced Pritam Singh, son of Dharub Singh of Dall Machhadi near Billawar in Kathua district, to undergo life imprisonment.
According to police case, Nichno Devi lodged a written complaint with police on October 15, 2011, alleging therein that Bodh Raj, son of Beli Ram, had abducted panchayat member Thakur Dass's daughter Mukesh Rani, who was undergoing medical training at Jammu with him. To discuss the matter, a panchyat was convened in the house of Thakur Dass at Dall, which was attended by the complainant, her husband Hans Raj, Beli Ram, Thakur Dass, Pritam Singh, Mansa Ram, Anchal Singh and naib-sarpanch Kasturi Lal. The panchyat concluded at about 8.45 pm, giving consent to the marriage of Bodh and Mukesh Rani. However, while the participants were about to leave for homes, Pritam attacked Hans Raj on his head with a sharp-edged weapon, causing him serious injuries.
On the basis of this report, police registered an FIR under section 307 of RPC and removed the injured to GMCH, Jammu, where he succumbed to his wounds on October 16, 2011. Accordingly, offence under section 302 of RPC was added to the FIR. The accused was arrested on October 17, 2011 and the weapon of offence, a darati, was recovered on his disclosure. Statements of Nichno Devi, Beli Ram and Bimla Devi were recorded under section 164-A of CrPC.
During investigation, police found that Bodh Raj had kidnapped Mukesh Rani who was already engaged to Pritam Singh's brother Mohinder Kumar. It was also found that on 14.10.2011 a Panchyat was convened in the house of Thakur Dass, which was attended by Beli Ram, deceased Hans Raj, Nichno Devi Bimla Devi, Mansa Ram, Banti Devi, Thakur Dass, Naib Sarpanch Prabhu Ram, Saroti Devi, Kasturi Lal and Anchal Singh.
When the panchayat concluded and the participants started heading back homes, Pritam, son-in-law of Thakur Dass, who could not digest the panchayat decision, attacked Hans Raj with a 'darati' on his head, resulting in his death.
The judge, after hearing both the sides, observed that since the accused was not a professional murderer posing a threat to society, he needs to be given a chance to repent, as there was nothing on record to show that he could not be reformed or rehabilitated.
"The court is of the opinion that the present case does not fall within the category of rarest of rare cases. Therefore, the accused is sentenced to undergo life imprisonment and pay a fine of Rs 20,000," the judge ordered. (JNF) |
