Chandigarh Court Hands Life Sentence in 2019 Double Murder Case
A court in Chandigarh has delivered a significant verdict, sentencing the son of a retired police official to life imprisonment for the brutal 2019 murder of two sisters at a paying guest accommodation in Sector 22. The additional district and sessions judge, Sonika, pronounced the judgment, also imposing a fine of Rs 30,000 on the convict, Kuldeep, aged 39.
Convict's Plea for Leniency Rejected by Court
During the sentencing hearing, Kuldeep sought leniency from the court, presenting several personal grounds. He argued that as the eldest son of his family, with his siblings married and his father deceased, there was no one else to care for his mother in his absence. The convict further claimed he had no prior criminal record and emphasized that his future was at stake, urging the court to adopt a compassionate approach in determining his punishment.
Prosecution's Argument for Stringent Punishment
Opposing the convict's plea, public prosecutor Sachin contended that the crime committed by Kuldeep was exceptionally grave and heinous. The prosecution pressed for stringent punishment to serve as a deterrent and set an example in society, highlighting the severity of the offense that resulted in the loss of two young lives.
Court's Observations and Final Ruling
After carefully considering arguments from both sides, Judge Sonika observed that the accused had taken the lives of two young women in a cruel manner. The court noted that the circumstances of the case did not justify any leniency in sentencing. However, the judge also remarked that this case did not fall within the category of the 'rarest of rare' cases, thereby ruling out the death penalty and instead awarding life imprisonment.
Details of the 2019 Incident
According to the prosecution's case, Kuldeep entered the top floor of the paying guest accommodation around 5:10 am on August 15, 2019. An argument ensued between him and the sisters, leading to a violent confrontation where he attacked both women with a knife, resulting in their immediate deaths. The convict fled the scene immediately after committing the crime.
The victims were identified as Rajwant Kaur and Manpreet Kaur, originally from Fazilka. They had been residing in the Sector 22 house for nearly one year and were employed with a private company in Zirakpur. Police investigations revealed that Kuldeep was acquainted with the sisters and had visited them on previous occasions.
Police further informed the court that Kuldeep had been in a relationship with Manpreet Kaur, but this relationship had deteriorated significantly in the months leading up to the tragic incident. The court's verdict brings closure to a case that has drawn considerable attention due to its brutal nature and the background of the accused.
