Varanasi: The court of District and Sessions Judge in Azamgarh on Wednesday awarded life imprisonment to seven accused for the murder of Heeralal Yadav alias Mithai and Tej Kumar Yadav in Devgaon area on August 13, 2020. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1.01 lakh on each convict. The killings stemmed from a dispute related to a panchayat election.
Details of the Verdict
District Government Counsel (Criminal) Priyadarshi Piyush Tripathi examined the evidence and eight witnesses produced before the court during the hearing. District and Sessions Judge Jay Prakash Pandey sentenced to life imprisonment Pradeep alias Dilip Yadav, his brother Ranjit Yadav, their mother Kamala Devi, along with Surendra Yadav, Lalbhadur Yadav, Ajay Yadav, and Umesh Yadav. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1,01,500 on each convict.
Background of the Case
After the murder of Hiralal, his wife Santra Devi of Akbelpur Naupur under Devgaon police station filed a complaint. She stated that she, her husband, and their two sons Vinod Yadav and Tej Kumar Yadav were returning home from the market when the accused blocked their path in front of Feku Yadav's house in Ghodsahna village. On the pretext of settling a panchayat poll-related dispute, Surendra and Pradeep took Hiralal and Tej Kumar inside their house while Santra Devi and Vinod waited outside. Lal Bahadur, Ajay, Umesh, Ranjit, and Kamli Devi also arrived at the scene.
During the discussion, Pradeep and Surendra shot Hiralal. Tej Kumar attempted to flee, but other accused surrounded him, after which Lal Bahadur and Ranjit shot him as well. The father and son died on the spot.
Legal Proceedings
Santra Devi filed a named FIR against eight individuals, and the police filed a chargesheet against all accused in court. During the trial, one of the accused, Feku Yadav, died.
