Azamgarh Court Delivers Life Sentences in Decades-Old Murder Case Tied to Communal Riots
A district court in Azamgarh has handed down life imprisonment sentences to twelve individuals in a murder case that dates back 27 years, stemming from the Shia-Sunni riots in Mubarakpur. Officials confirmed the verdict on Wednesday, marking a significant judicial conclusion to a long-pending legal matter.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing Details
District and Sessions Judge Jai Prakash Pandey pronounced the sentence on Tuesday after completing the hearing process. The court had previously convicted all twelve accused on February 13 of this year. In addition to life imprisonment, each convict has been fined Rs 66,500, as per the court's orders.
On behalf of the prosecution, District Government Counsel (Criminal) Priyadarshi Piyush Tripathi and Additional District Government Counsel Deepak Kumar Mishra presented the case, examining a total of nine witnesses during the trial. After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defense sides, the court delivered its final judgment.
Background of the 1999 Murder Case
The case originated from a tragic incident during the 1999 Shia-Sunni riots in Mubarakpur. According to the prosecution, complainant Nasir Hussain filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the Mubarakpur police station on April 30, 1999. He reported that his uncle, Ali Akbar, a resident of Pura Khwaja, had been missing since April 27, 1999.
Akbar's son, Jaigam, had earlier reported his father's disappearance on April 28. The investigation took a grim turn when Ali Akbar's beheaded body was recovered from Raja Bhat's pond on April 30, 1999. Police investigations revealed that he was allegedly assaulted and killed by members of the Sunni community while returning from a Muharram procession.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Police filed a chargesheet against multiple accused individuals from Dulhanpura, Purasofi, and Hyderabad. During the lengthy trial process, four of the original accused—Haji Mohammad Suleman, Najibullah, Hamidullah alias Jheenak, and Haji Abdul Khaliq—passed away.
The court ultimately sentenced the remaining twelve accused to life imprisonment. Those convicted include Hussain Ahmad, Mohammad Ayub Faizi, Faheem Akhtar, Asrar Ahmad, Mohammad Yaqub, Ali Zaheer, Irshad, Mohammad Asad, Afzal, Alauddin, Dilshad, and Wasim. Each was also ordered to pay a fine of ₹66,500.
This verdict brings closure to a case that has remained pending for nearly three decades, highlighting the judicial system's persistence in addressing crimes related to communal violence. The sentencing underscores the legal consequences for such acts, even after significant time has elapsed.
