2 get life term for killing mother over property dispute

The Court of Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Singh Bajwa has sentenced two brothers, Sandeep Saini, a resident of New Tagore Nagar, Haibowal, and Simarjit Singh of Old Madhopuri, to rigorous life imprisonment for murdering their mother Amarjit Kaur over a prolonged property dispute.

Delivering the verdict, the court held that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Declining the plea of leniency, it also ordered them to pay fine of Rs 10,000 each.

Additional public prosecutor Ajay Kunar Singla apprised that the crime occurred on July 17, 2017, at Old Madhopuri. The accused acting with a common intention, strangled their mother to death. The prosecution examined 16 witnesses to prove the guilt of the accused, which played important role in bringing the truth to light.

The judgment also rested heavily on the testimony of Amarjit Kaur’s daughter, Gagandeep Kaur, who said how her mother was repeatedly harassed by her sons over property, faced beatings from Simarjit. She also recalled earlier attempts on her mother’s life, including an acid attack, by Sandeep.

Key corroboration came from Jagdeep Singh, husband of complainant Gagandeep Kaur, who told the court that he had seen the CCTV footage in police presence on the day of the incident. “In the CCTV footage, one youth was seen coming, whom I identified as Sandeep Saini. Sandeep and Simarjit had committed the murder of my mother-in-law. On seeing the pictures of the CCTV footage in the judicial file, I can confirm that the person riding the Honda Activa is Sandeep,” he deposed in court.

The crucial CCTV evidence was produced from the house of a neighbour, Jujhar Singh, who handed over its hard disk to the police. The court noted that the footage played an important role in nailing the accused and proving the prosecution’s case.

The prosecution examined 16 witnesses in total, including family members, police officials, and technical witnesses, all of whom supported the chain of evidence.

Holding the brothers guilty of matricide motivated by greed and property disputes, the court awarded them life imprisonment.

However, during the trial, both accused claimed false implication in case. But after appreciating the evidence on record, the court found them guilty and sentenced accordingly.