HC splits verdict in RS Pura murder case, acquits three, upholds life term of one
24/04/2026
JAMMU, Apr 23: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has delivered a split verdict in the 2014 R.S. Pura murder case, acquitting three convicts while upholding the conviction and life sentence of one accused, holding that the prosecution failed to prove its case against the co-accused beyond reasonable doubt.
A Division Bench of Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Sanjay Parihar passed the judgment in a criminal appeal challenging the trial court's verdict.
The case pertains to FIR No. 132/2014 registered at Police Station R.S. Pura under Sections 452, 302 and 34 RPC read with Sections 4/25 and 30 of the Arms Act in connection with the killing of Vinod Kumar. All four accused had been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the trial court.
Reappraising the evidence, the High Court found serious infirmities in the prosecution case against Shammi Singh, Manjeet Singh and Charanjeet Singh.
The Bench observed that the case against them primarily relied on statements of three alleged eyewitnesses, which suffered from material contradictions, unexplained delays in recording, and lack of reliable corroboration.
It further noted that while the prosecution alleged that the co-accused were armed with sharp-edged weapons, the medical evidence revealed only a single fatal firearm injury, with no corresponding sharp weapon injuries on the deceased.
Holding that the prosecution failed to establish common intention under Section 34 RPC or active participation of the three co-accused, the court set aside their convictions and sentences and ordered their release, subject to their not being required in any other case.
However, the court held that the case against Deepak Singh stood on a different footing.
It observed that medical and ballistic evidence conclusively established that the death was caused by a firearm injury from a 12-bore shotgun linked to him.
The Bench also relied on evidence indicating that cartridges had been issued to him shortly before the incident and that he had remained unauthorisedly absent from an Army Transit Camp during the relevant period, forming a complete chain of circumstances pointing to his guilt.
Accordingly, the High Court dismissed the appeal to the extent of Deepak Singh and upheld his conviction under Section 302 RPC, while partly allowing the appeal of the remaining three accused.
Share This Story |
|
Comment On This Story |
|
|
|
|