Gurgaon Court Imposes Life Sentence in Gruesome 2018 Murder and Dismemberment Case
A court in Gurgaon has delivered a stern verdict, sentencing a man to life imprisonment for his involvement in a chilling 2018 murder that involved dismemberment and the disposal of body parts. The case, which unfolded in DLF Phase-2, saw the convict, Jagdish, now in his 30s, assist his employer in committing the heinous crime.
Financial Dispute Leads to Brutal Murder Plot
According to public prosecutor Sumit Saini, the prime accused, Harnek Singh Dhillon, who was 80 years old at the time, had taken Rs 60 lakh from his acquaintance, Jas Karan, aged 52. Dhillon had promised to secure permanent residency in Canada for Karan. When Karan began demanding his money back, Dhillon devised a murder plan and enlisted his servant, Jagdish, to help execute it.
On October 14, 2018, Karan visited Dhillon's residence. There, Dhillon and Jagdish attacked him with a hammer, killing him, and then used a khukri to dismember the body. The duo placed the body parts into plastic bags and, with the assistance of Dhillon's wife, loaded them into Dhillon's vehicle.
Elaborate Disposal of Evidence Across Punjab
In a calculated move to conceal the crime, Dhillon and Jagdish drove approximately 350 kilometers to Ludhiana. Along the way, they discarded the body parts, clothing, the murder weapon, and the keys to Karan's two-wheeler at various locations. This attempt to destroy evidence was later highlighted by the court as a key factor in the conviction.
In a tragic twist, a few days after Karan's murder, Dhillon allegedly killed his own wife. She had been insisting that they go to the police and confess to the crime. Dhillon passed away in December 2023, while both trials were still ongoing, leaving Jagdish as the sole defendant in this case.
Forensic and Witness Testimony Seal Conviction
The prosecution built a strong case based on multiple pieces of evidence. Forensic analysis, including a DNA report, confirmed the identity of the deceased. CCTV footage captured Karan entering Dhillon's house, and toll plaza footage tracked the vehicle's journey to Ludhiana.
A crucial witness, neighbor Wakil, testified that he saw Dhillon take Karan into the house and, five minutes later, heard screaming. When he rushed to investigate, Dhillon opened the door and claimed that a monkey had entered and bitten him, a statement that later proved deceptive.
Public prosecutor Saini emphasized that the evidence clearly showed financial dealings and disputes between Dhillon and Karan, establishing a motive for the murder.
Court Denies Leniency, Imposes Life Sentence and Fine
Additional sessions judge Puneet Sehgal described the crime as "heinous and brutal" and noted that Jagdish's conduct in cutting the body into pieces and dumping it at multiple locations demonstrated a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence. The court refused to show any leniency, stating that a lesser sentence would "encourage any criminal" and cause society to suffer.
Judge Sehgal further observed, "Undue sympathy by means of imposing an inadequate sentence would do more harm to the justice system and undermine public confidence in the efficacy of law." In addition to the life imprisonment, the court imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on Jagdish.
This verdict underscores the judiciary's commitment to delivering justice in cases of extreme violence, ensuring that such brutal acts are met with stringent punishment to uphold the rule of law and deter future crimes.
