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Bijnor Court Jails 8 for Murder of Key Witness
4 Aug
Summary
- Eight men received life sentences for murdering a witness.
- The murder occurred eight years ago to prevent testimony.
- The court ordered a large fine for the victim's widow.
In Bijnor, eight men were sentenced to life imprisonment by an additional district and sessions judge on August 4, 2026, for the murder of Rakesh Kumar. The conviction occurred nearly eight years after the witness was gunned down on September 27, 2018. The court also mandated a collective fine of ₹10.8 lakh, allocating ₹9 lakh to the victim's widow as compensation.
The assassination was reportedly orchestrated to prevent Rakesh Kumar and his wife, Mantosh Devi, from testifying in a murder case concerning Mantosh's brother-in-law. The accused had allegedly been pressuring the family to drop the charges. During the trial, 16 witnesses, including Mantosh Devi, testified against the convicts.
Weapons used in the crime were recovered, leading to separate sentences under the Arms Act for four of the convicted men. Three other individuals were acquitted due to insufficient evidence, and one accused died during the proceedings. The alleged mastermind, Aditya Rana, who led a gang and had escaped custody twice, was killed in a police encounter in 2023.
The extensive legal process concluded after 188 hearings, with charges initially framed on October 3, 2019, marking the end of a prolonged legal battle.
