Court defers hearing in Yug murder case

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, March 18

The High Court today deferred the hearing on a death sentence reference sent by the Sessions Judge, Shimla, for the confirmation of the death sentence awarded by him to three convicts in the Yug murder case for May 20.

The convicts have also filed an appeal before the High Court, challenging the death penalty awarded to them in the case. During the course of hearing, the counsel for the convicts sought adjournment on the ground that the matter was to be argued by a senior counsel and he was not available today.

Acceding to the request, a Division Bench comprising Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary and Justice Sandeep Sharma listed the case for further hearing on May 20.

Section 366 of the CrPC provides that when a Sessions Court passes a death sentence, the proceedings must be submitted to the High Court, and the sentence cannot be executed, unless it is confirmed by the High Court.

As per provision whenever such a case is submitted to the High Court, it may confirm the sentence or pass any other sentence warranted by law. The Session Judge, Shimla, awarded the death penalty to three convicts on September 5, 2018, for kidnapping and murdering a four-year-old boy for ransom.

The District and Sessions Court held Chander Sharma, Tajender Singh and Vikrant Bakshi guilty under Sections 302, 347 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code.

Yug Gupta, son of businessman Vinod Gupta, was kidnapped and murdered in the Kelston area of Shimla four years ago. Yug’s skeletal remains were found in a water tank on August 22, 2016, leading to widespread protests across the town. Yug was kidnapped on June 14, 2014, from Ram Bazaar. After Yug went missing, a case of abduction under Section 363 of the Indian Penal Code was registered on June 16, 2014, following which an investigation was initiated.

Kidnapped and murdered

• Yug Gupta, son of businessman Vinod Gupta, was kidnapped on June 14, 2014, from Ram Bazaar and murdered in the Kelston area of Shimla four years ago.
• Yug’s skeletal remains were found in a water tank on August 22, 2016, leading to widespread protests across the town.
• The District and Sessions Court held Chander Sharma, Tajender Singh and Vikrant Bakshi guilty.