Life Sentence for Retired Police Officer in 2003 Varanasi Custodial Killing
In a landmark verdict delivered after nearly 22 years, an Azamgarh district court has sentenced a retired police officer to life imprisonment for the custodial killing of a theft accused inside a Varanasi police lock-up. The case, which has drawn attention to police brutality and accountability, saw the then in-charge of Rani Ki Sarai police station, JK Singh, now in his 70s, convicted for his role in the 2003 incident.
Court Delivers Verdict with Fines and Additional Penalties
District and Sessions Court Judge Jai Prakash Pandey pronounced the sentence on Wednesday, imposing a life term along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh on former cop JK Singh. Additionally, Singh received one year of rigorous imprisonment and a Rs 5,000 fine for charges under Section 504 of the Indian Penal Code, related to breach of peace. Following the verdict, Singh was promptly arrested and incarcerated.
Azamgarh district government counsel Priyadarshi Piyush Tripathi confirmed the details of the sentencing, highlighting the court's firm stance on the matter. The other accused in the case, head constable Narendra Bahadur Singh, passed away during the legal proceedings in 2017, leaving JK Singh as the sole defendant to face justice.
Details of the 2003 Custodial Death Incident
The tragic events unfolded on March 29, 2003, when Rani Ki Sarai police arrested Harilal Yadav, an employee of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), on allegations of theft. Yadav died from a gunshot wound while in police custody, sparking immediate controversy and allegations of misconduct.
Initially, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) solely against head constable Narendra Bahadur Singh. However, the victim's son, Jitendra, filed a separate FIR at Kotwali police station, alleging that when he arrived at the Rani Ki Sarai station with food for his father, he witnessed the head constable shooting Yadav under the orders of then in-charge JK Singh.
Due to jurisdictional issues, the investigation was transferred from Kotwali to Rani Ki Sarai police station. The case later came under the purview of the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CBCID) in 2003, which completed its investigation and submitted a chargesheet to the court by February 2005.
Long Legal Battle Culminates in Justice
This verdict marks the culmination of a protracted legal struggle that spanned over two decades, underscoring the challenges in prosecuting cases of police misconduct. The sentencing of a retired officer, who had been out of service for more than a decade, sends a strong message about accountability within law enforcement agencies.
The case has reignited discussions on custodial deaths and the need for stricter oversight to prevent such incidents. With JK Singh now serving his sentence, the outcome provides a measure of closure for the victim's family, who endured years of uncertainty and pursuit of justice.
