Gurugram judge’s gunman changed statement 42 times

Sumedha Sharma
Tribune News Service
Gurugram, January 10

Gunman Mahipal Singh, who had hit headlines for allegedly gunning down the wife and son of an additional sessions judge he was attached to, has changed his statements in front of the police approximately 42 times.

As per the 500-page challan submitted in the district court, Singh, himself a policeman, tried to befool the police by cooking up stories about his religious beliefs, unstable mental condition and even possession by spirits, leading to the murder. He finally broke down and confessed that the crime was an act of acute rage.

The district court on Wednesday framed charges against 32-year-old Mahipal Singh for killing the duo in broad daylight at Arcadia Market, Sector 49, on October 13. The accused was the personal security officer attached to Additional Session Judge Krishan Kant and was escorting the family at the time of the incident. He pleaded not guilty during the framing of charges on Wednesday. However, police claim to have come up with a strong case and shall be presenting 81 witnesses, including a judge who was present in the market.

The judge, posted in Bihar at present, is one of the key witnesses, along with seven others, including doctors of Park and Medanta hospitals, who not only treated the duo but also handled evidence. After investigating the matter for three months, the SIT submitted its final investigation report before the court of Judicial Magistrate (1st Class) Suyesha Jawa on December 26, holding Singh responsible for the double murder. The case was then referred to the sessions court.

District and Sessions Judge RK Sondhi kept the matter in his court and charges were framed against Singh under Sections 302 (murder) and 201(destruction of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 27 of the Arms Act.