Surat Court Delivers Life Sentence in 2016 Ganpati Immersion Double Murder Case
A sessions court in Surat has pronounced a landmark verdict, sentencing two brothers to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of two young men during the Ganpati immersion festivities in 2016. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 2,000 on each convict. The third accused in this high-profile case remains at large after jumping interim bail, and his trial will proceed separately.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The fatal incident unfolded on September 15, 2016, during the Ganpati visarjan (immersion) ceremony. Complainant Mitesh Patel, along with deceased Jitesh Patel and other members of Panchavati Society, were participating in the immersion procession in the Amroli area. Another procession from Madhuvan Society was following closely behind them.
According to the prosecution's case, brothers Prashant Nayak (27) and Pratap Nayak (25), along with the third accused, were part of the Madhuvan Society group. The confrontation began when the accused allegedly molested girls from the Panchavati Society, sparking a heated argument between the two processions.
Escalation and Fatal Attack
After the immersion rituals concluded, Jitesh Patel and another individual named Pramod were near Bhagunagar when the accused began threatening them. The situation rapidly escalated into violence. Prashant Nayak stabbed both victims with a sharp weapon, resulting in fatal injuries, while the other two accused restrained the victims during the attack.
Additional Public Prosecutor Digant Tewar emphasized during the trial that the accused acted with precision, noting that both victims died from a single stab wound each, suggesting a methodical approach. However, the court ultimately did not classify the case under the "rarest of rare" category, which could have led to a death penalty.
Legal Proceedings and Arrests
Following the incident, the Amroli police swiftly arrested all three accused. They were charged with murder and under provisions of the Atrocities Act, as the victims belonged to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community. A chargesheet was formally filed on November 15, 2016, initiating a legal process that spanned nearly nine years before reaching this verdict.
The trial faced a significant hurdle when the third accused, identified as Pratap, jumped interim bail and has since remained absconding. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate him, and his case will be addressed in a separate trial once he is apprehended.
Court's Final Ruling
In its final judgment, the sessions court found Prashant and Pratap Nayak guilty of the murders. The court sentenced both brothers to life imprisonment, underscoring the gravity of the crime while stopping short of imposing the death penalty. The fine of Rs 2,000 each was also mandated as part of the sentence.
This verdict brings a measure of closure to a case that has lingered in the Surat judicial system for years, highlighting the challenges in prosecuting violent crimes during large public gatherings like religious festivals.
