A local court in Ambala on Wednesday sentenced seven individuals to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for attempted murder and criminal conspiracy in a case dating back to 2020. Among the convicts is Anil Kumar, son of former Ambala City BJP MLA Master Shiv Prasad.
Judgment Details
Ambala District Additional Sessions Judge Sampreet Kaur delivered the verdict, referencing Supreme Court judgments to underscore that punishment must be proportionate to the crime's gravity and reflect society's demand for justice. The convicts include Anil Kumar, Rohit, Devender, Jitender, Sukhwinder Singh, Jatin Kumar, and Darpan Kumar. Each has been fined Rs 20,000, with an additional two months of simple imprisonment if the fine is not paid.
Additional Conviction
Sukhwinder Singh was also convicted under Section 25 of the Arms Act, receiving a three-year rigorous imprisonment sentence and a fine of Rs 5,000. The court directed that Rs 1 lakh from the fines be paid as compensation to the injured complainant, Rajesh Kumar Ahluwalia.
Arguments for Leniency
During the hearing, the defense counsel sought leniency, arguing that several convicts were the sole breadwinners for their families, had dependent children or elderly parents, and had no prior criminal record. Anil Kumar's counsel noted that he is 67 years old and suffers from various ailments, while Sukhwinder Singh's counsel stated he had already been in custody for over six years.
Prosecution's Stance
The prosecution opposed leniency, arguing that the gravity of the offense warranted strict punishment to deter similar crimes in the future. The court's decision aligns with the principle that justice must serve as a deterrent and reflect societal condemnation of such acts.
