3 yrs after BJP leader’s lynching, Varanasi court sentences 16 to life imprisonment

On Thursday, all 16 convicts — who had been out on bail — were taken into custody after the court found them guilty of rioting, murder, attempt to murder and common intention.  They were sent to jail and the court had fixed Friday for pronouncement of the sentence.

On Friday, the accused — aged between 25 and 45 years — were brought to court from the district jail.

“The court sentenced all 16 accused to life imprisonment and also imposed a fine,” said government counsel Manoj Gupta.

The court examined eight prosecution and three defence witnesses during the trial.

A resident of Sigra area of Varanasi, Nath was also a social worker. Most of the accused are also residents of the same area.

Defence counsel Virendra Pathak said they would appeal the conviction in a higher court.

According to the prosecution, the incident took place on October 12, 2022, in Jai Prakash Nagar Colony under the jurisdiction of Sigra police station. The trouble began when four men, including Mantu Saroj, Rahul Saroj and two others, created a ruckus at a liquor shop which is located on the ground floor of Nath’s house.

On hearing about the clash, Pashupati Nath’s son, Raj Kumar Singh, reached the spot and objected to the accused’s behaviour, leading to a heated argument. A few local residents also gathered during the exchange. The accused eventually left, warning Raj Kumar that they would “teach him a lesson.”

A short while later, the accused returned with more aides and launched an attack on Raj Kumar.

Hearing the commotion, his father (Nath) stepped out to intervene, but the attackers, armed with sticks and iron rods, beat him up and fled. Nath lost consciousness and was taken to a hospital but succumbed to injuries on the way.

An FIR was registered at the Sigra police station naming 18 persons, including two minors. During the investigation, the police confirmed the involvement of all 18 and filed a chargesheet. The cases of the two juveniles were separated, while the remaining 16 were put on trial. The case involving the minors is pending before the Juvenile Justice Board, said government counsel Manoj Gupta.