Mumbai heroes’ killers get life term

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, May 5

A special women’s court here today awarded life imprisonment till death to four men for murdering two youths who fought against them to protect their women friends from harassment.

Judge Vrushali Joshi pronounced judgment awarding life term to Jitesh Rana, Sunil Bodh, Satish Dulhaj and Dipak Tival for killing Keenan Santos (24) and Reuben Fernandes (29) in 2011. She held the four guilty of murder, outraging the modesty of women and other offences under the Indian Penal Code, in a case which sparked outrage and debate about the safety of women at public places.

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said there were 28 witnesses, including the two women friends of the victims. He said the court acted on evidence which showed that the accused were molesting the women when the victims intervened. “The murder was pre-meditated as the convicts first threatened to kill them and then returned with weapons to execute their plan,” he said.

He said the prosecution had not asked for death penalty, but for life imprisonment till death which was granted. The four men were arrested on October 20, 2011, shortly after the murder and have since been in jail.

Keenan’s father Valerian Santos said he hoped the verdict would send out a message to other “termites of society”. “However, this is just the beginning. The battle is not over as they might appeal in the higher courts... we have to wait,” Santos said. (With agency inputs)

The five-year battle

Oct 20, 2011 A group of youths stabs Keenan Santos and Reuben Fernandez outside a restaurant in Andheri after a scuffle. Keenan dies on the spot

Oct 21 Four accused — Jitesh Rana, Sunil Bodh, Satish Dulhaj and Dipak Tival — arrested

Oct 30 Reuben succumbs

Jan, 2012 Police file chargesheet

Feb 8 Case moves to a fast-track court. Ujjwal Nikam appointed public prosecutor

Nov 6 Hearing begins

March 19, 2013 Trial shifted to a special women’s court

April 22, 2016 Trial ends

May 5 The four get life imprisonment till death