A court in Darbhanga has delivered a landmark verdict, convicting five individuals, among them a former public prosecutor, for a murder that occurred over three decades ago. The judgment brings a long-awaited closure to a case that dates back to August 8, 1994.
Court Convicts All Five Accused
The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge (III) Suman Kumar Dwivedi found all the accused guilty under various sections, including murder. The convicted individuals are Kaushar Imam Hashmi, Amber Imam Hashmi, Raja Hashmi, Mobin Hashmi, and Anjar Hashmi. Notably, Kaushar Imam Hashmi is a former public prosecutor. The court has scheduled the announcement of their quantum of punishment for January 31.
Public prosecutor Amarendra Narayan Jha confirmed the conviction, stating that all the accused, who are residents of Basant village in the Bishanpur police station area, were found guilty under murder and other serious charges.
The Fateful Incident of August 1994
The roots of this case lie in a violent altercation that took place on the evening of August 8, 1994. A group of farmers from Patori village, including Ramkripal Chaudhary and Rampukar Chaudhary, were returning after grazing their buffaloes and had stopped to water the cattle at a pond.
At that moment, more than 25 people from the neighbouring Basant village arrived, armed with axes, spears, and guns. They surrounded the cattle herders. It is alleged that the accused tried to forcibly take the cattle to their own village. When the farmers resisted, the armed group opened indiscriminate fire.
The firing resulted in the immediate death of Ramkripal Chaudhary. Several others sustained serious injuries, including Mohan Chaudhary, Ravindra Chaudhary, Ashok Chaudhary, Kailash Bihari Chaudhary, Sangeet Chaudhary, and Rampukar Chaudhary, all from Patori village.
A Long and Arduous Judicial Journey
The path to justice has been exceptionally protracted, spanning 31 years. The judicial process witnessed the natural demise of more than six individuals who were originally named in the First Information Report (FIR). Despite the passage of time and the loss of witnesses, the legal proceedings continued, culminating in Monday's conviction.
This verdict underscores the persistence of the Indian judicial system in pursuing justice, even in cases that have lingered for decades. The final sentencing, expected later this month, will mark the conclusive chapter of this long-standing legal battle.
