Panchkula man sentenced to life for murder over property dispute

On the morning of the incident, Arora, driving his Maruti Brezza, intentionally struck Mittal’s scooter from behind on the Panchkula-Shimla Highway near HMT, Pinjore, causing fatal injuries. The prosecution, led by advocate Akash Tanwar, presented compelling circumstantial evidence, including a broken number plate of Arora’s car found at the scene, CCTV footage from Chandimandir Toll Plaza showing his vehicle near the crime scene, and a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report confirming that plastic pieces from the site matched the grill of Arora’s car. The court noted that Arora failed to explain the presence of his vehicle at the scene, strengthening the case against him.

Despite defence arguments that the incident was an accident and that the prosecution failed to prove motive due to the death of key witness Sachin Jain, the court relied on the chain of circumstantial evidence.

The judge said that the absence of an eyewitness did not weaken the case, as the evidence unerringly pointed to Arora’s guilt. The court also dismissed claims of procedural lapses, affirming that the prosecution had established the intentional nature of the act.

During the sentencing hearing, Arora’s counsel pleaded for leniency, citing his age, health issues, and status as the sole breadwinner for his wife and three children. However, Akash Tanwar, the public prosecutor, argued that the gravity of the crime warranted stringent punishment to deter similar offences. Judge Sirohi, agreeing with the prosecution, sentenced Arora to rigorous imprisonment for life, emphasising the deliberate and malicious nature of the murder.

The court ordered that the period Arora spent in detention during the investigation and trial be set off against his sentence. The case property is to be disposed of after the appeal period or in accordance with any appellate court ruling. A copy of the judgment was provided to Arora free of cost, and the case file has been consigned to the record room.