In a long-awaited verdict, a local court in Hyderabad on Monday awarded the death sentence to a blacksmith for the brutal murder of a woman fourteen years ago. The crime, which shocked the city, was committed after the woman rejected his advances.
The Gruesome Crime of 2011
The incident dates back to July 18, 2011. The convicted man, identified as Karan Singh, a resident of Karnataka's Bidar district who worked as a blacksmith in Hyderabad, was allegedly in a relationship with the victim. According to the Cyberabad police, the then 35-year-old accused, who lived in Medchal, took the woman to the ACC Godown in Sanathnagar.
At the godown, Singh attempted to get intimate with her. However, when the woman firmly rejected his advances, he became enraged. In a fit of anger, he killed her on the spot. The police stated that Singh left the body at the location and fled immediately after committing the crime.
The Investigation and Arrest
The body was later discovered by local residents, who alerted the authorities. The Cyberabad police registered a case under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and launched an intensive manhunt to apprehend the fugitive.
The chase lasted for 24 days, culminating in the arrest of Karan Singh on August 11, 2011. Following his arrest, he was sent to judicial remand. The police diligently compiled evidence and filed a chargesheet, paving the way for the legal trial.
The Long Road to Justice
The case proceeded to trial at the third additional district and session judge and principal family court in Medchal-Malkajgiri district. For over a decade, the legal process unfolded, with the court examining evidence and witness testimonies.
Finally, on Monday, the court delivered its judgment, convicting Karan Singh and sentencing him to death. Following the pronouncement of the sentence, he was sent to the Cherlapally central prison to await further legal proceedings, which may include appeals in higher courts.
The verdict brings a somber closure to a case that highlighted issues of violence against women and the perseverance of the judicial system in pursuing justice, even when it takes years to achieve.
