2 get life term for murder, 1 acquitted
Tribune News Service
Karnal, August 9
Additional Sessions Judge Rajnish Sharma on Friday sentenced two persons to life imprisonment for the murder of a 23-year-old. The convicts have been identified as Raj Kumar Bathla, alias Raju Bathla, a resident of Ram Bagh here, and Neeraj Arora, a resident of Hari Ram Enclave. The court, however, acquitted Gaurav Pilani, a resident of Roop Nagar in Sadar Bazar, of all charges.
Murder disguised as accident
- Initially, the police registered a case for causing death by negligence and rash driving.
- Further investigation revealed it was a murder.
- It revealed accused Raj Kumar had a dispute over a shop with Arvind so he rammed his car into him but Arvind’s friend, Robin was killed instead.
The case pertained to the killing of Ram Bagh resident Robin Nagpal, said advocate Vikramjeet Ranwar, adding that Arvind of the same colony was injured in the incident that occurred on September 10, 2020.
Ranwar said Bathla, who was driving a car, hit Robin Nagpal and Arvind on the dividing road between Sector 13 and New Housing Board in the city.
This resulted in Robin’s death and injuries to Arvind.
Raj Kumar was accompanied by Gaurav Pilani and Neeraj Arora in the car.
Initially, the police registered a case under Sections 304A and 279 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for causing death by negligence and rash driving.
However, further investigation, supported by CCTV footage, revealed it to be a case of murder, leading the police to add charges under Sections 302, 307, 120B, and 34 of the IPC.
Police investigation revealed Raj Kumar had a dispute over a shop with Arvind and wanted to kill him. With this intention, he had rammed his car into Arvind and Robin, resulting in Robin’’s death.
“We contested the case on valid points, which were duly considered by the court, and now justice has been served,” said Ranwar.
Satish Nagpal, the father of the deceased, said he would challenge the acquittal of one of the accused in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. “No doubt my son received justice after four years, but we will challenge the acquittal of Gaurav Pilani in the high court,” he said.
