Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 9: In a significant judgment, the Principal Sessions Court Udhampur on Tuesday convicted Romal Singh alias Romalu, son of Shankar Singh of Ladhana Morha Phingyal, for murdering his elder brother Rattan Singh in 2018 and sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for life along with a fine of Rs 10,000. The case, registered under FIR No. 143/2018 at Ramnagar Police Station, pertained to a fratricidal killing over a land dispute. The prosecution alleged that on the intervening night of August 25-26, 2018, the accused attacked his brother with an iron sickle, causing fatal throat injuries.
Principal Sessions Judge Virender Singh Bhou, while pronouncing the verdict, held that the prosecution had successfully established the guilt of the accused under Section 302 RPC. However, the court declined to impose capital punishment, observing that the case did not fall within the ambit of "rarest of rare."
"The convict, though guilty of murdering his real brother, does not fall in the category of hardened criminals. The ends of justice would be met by sentencing him to life imprisonment, which also allows scope for repentance and reformation," the court observed in its order.
The prosecution was represented by Mr. Himanshu Parkash and Mr. Vinay Sharma, Public Prosecutors for the UT of J&K, while the accused was defended by Mr. Ranjeev Dubey and Ms. Vijay Lakshmi, Advocates, who were appointed as Amicus Curiae. The period already undergone during investigation and trial will be set off against the life sentence. The court further directed that the fine, once realized, be paid to the legal heirs of the deceased, and recommended statutory compensation through the J&K Legal Services Authority. The judgment and sentence are subject to confirmation by the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. (JNF) |
