Life Imprisonment for Seven in 12-Year-Old Murder of NSG Soldier
An Aligarh court has delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing seven men to life imprisonment for the 2013 murder of National Security Guard (NSG) commando Tejveer Singh. The 25-year-old soldier was killed after he tried to stop rampant cheating during Class 12 board examinations at an inter-college in Aligarh. The court of Additional District Judge Ravish Kumar Attri pronounced the sentence on Thursday, bringing closure to a legal battle that lasted over a decade.
A Fatal Stand Against Exam Malpractice
The tragic incident dates back to March 12, 2013. Board exams were being conducted at an inter-college in Murawar, under the jurisdiction of Gonda police station in Aligarh. Tejveer Singh, who was visiting his family at the time, noticed a student receiving answers from his father through a classroom window. Along with his brother Kuldeep, Tejveer intervened to stop the cheating.
This act of integrity triggered a violent retaliation. The father of the student, enraged by the intervention, called his aides and threatened Tejveer. Later that day, around 5:30 PM, a group of armed men stormed into Tejveer's home, which was located adjacent to the exam centre. Armed with a licensed rifle and a country-made pistol, they opened indiscriminate fire.
Both Tejveer and his brother Kuldeep were critically injured in the shooting. They were rushed to the JN Medical College for treatment. Despite medical efforts, Tejveer Singh succumbed to his injuries. Kuldeep survived the attack.
Investigation, Trial, and Final Verdict
Following the murder, another brother, Shyamveer, filed a formal complaint at the Gonda police station. The police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code:
- 147 (Rioting)
- 148 (Rioting, armed with a deadly weapon)
- 302 (Murder)
- 307 (Attempt to murder)
- 504 (Intentional insult)
- 506 (Criminal intimidation)
The accused individuals – Sonu, Komal, Hariom, Rajendra, Devendra, Guddu, and Rajkumar – were subsequently arrested. During the arrest, police recovered a .315 bore firearm and a rifle from their possession. A thorough investigation led to the filing of a chargesheet.
The trial relied heavily on the eyewitness testimony of brother Kuldeep and the complaint filed by Shyamveer. This testimony was corroborated by forensic evidence, the recovery of weapons, and detailed medical reports. All this evidence was meticulously examined by the court before reaching a conclusion.
On Thursday, the court found all seven accused guilty. In addition to life imprisonment, the judge imposed a fine of Rs 35,000 on each convict.
Legacy of a Martyr
Tejveer Singh's sacrifice highlights the extreme dangers faced by those who stand up against corruption and malpractice. His wife, Pinki, is currently serving in the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and resides in Lucknow with their two children. The verdict, though delayed, serves as a significant reminder that justice, however long it takes, can prevail.
The case also casts a stark light on the severe lengths to which individuals would go to facilitate academic dishonesty, resulting in the loss of a national hero who served in one of India's most elite security forces.
