Shimla, October 6
Mr Rameshwar Singh, District and Sessions Judge, Shimla, today convicted Mr Dhiren Walia, for the murder of Padmesh Kaur, and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The accused was also convicted under the Arms Act and sentenced to two months’ rigorous imprisonment, besides a fine of Rs 1000. The two sentences will run concurrently.
A cousin of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Padmesh Kaur was shot from close range following an altercation at the Cedar rest house of the Punjab Government, here, in the wee hours of May 30. She died on the spot.
She was staying in the rest house along with her family friends — Mr Jaidev and his wife. Mr Walia, who managed the farmhouse of the deceased, accompanied her from Delhi.
The prompt arrest of the culprit enabled the police to prove his guilt easily as he was caught with the revolver he used to commit the crime. The report of the ballistic expert proved that the bullet, which killed the deceased, was fired from his revolver. He was under heavy intoxication when the incident occurred.
After killing Padmesh, the accused fled from the scene and was nabbed by the police from Kandaghat an hour later.
The VIP status of the deceased apart, the murder had created a sensation in the state as it took place close to the official residence of the Chief Minister.
The Opposition BJP had been all along using the incident to whip the government on the issue of law and order.
