New Delhi, June 6 (IANS) A Delhi court has convicted Bihar BJP MLA Raju Kumar Singh for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and violation of provisions of the Arms Act in connection with the death of a woman architect during celebratory firing at a New Year’s Eve party hosted at a farmhouse in the national capital in 2018.
The Rouse Avenue Court held Singh guilty under Section 304 Part II of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 30 of the Arms Act, stating that his act of firing from a licensed pistol at a crowded gathering was done with the knowledge that it was likely to cause death.
The court directed that Singh be taken into custody following the conviction. The quantum of sentence will be decided after hearing arguments on June 9.
The sentence to be imposed on the legislator could also have ramifications for his political career, as a prison term of two years or more may trigger disqualification from holding elected office under the Representation of the People Act.
The case relates to an incident on the night of December 31, 2018, when a New Year celebration was being held at a farmhouse in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area. During the event, a bullet allegedly fired during celebratory gunfire struck Dr Archana Gupta. She was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries during treatment.
An FIR was subsequently registered at Fatehpur Beri police station, and Delhi Police arrested Singh and others during the investigation.
In its order, the court observed that Singh’s act of firing from his licensed weapon during a crowded New Year’s party demonstrated that he had knowledge that such conduct could result in the death of a person. The court concluded that the prosecution had established a prima facie case under Section 304 Part II IPC and Section 30 of the Arms Act against the MLA.
While convicting Singh, the court acquitted his wife, Renu Singh, and two other co-accused — Rana Rajesh Singh and Ramendra Singh — extending them the benefit of doubt.
The court held that the evidence on record was insufficient to prove the charges against the three co-accused beyond reasonable doubt.
Earlier in 2023, the court had framed charges against the accused, holding that a prima facie case existed against Singh under Section 304 Part II of the IPC and Section 30 of the Arms Act.
–IANS
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