Man gets life term in murder case

Legal Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 30

The Court of Additional Sessions Judge Shiv Mohan Garg has sentenced Raj Kumar (46), a resident of Dashmesh Nagar, Ahmedgarh, Sangrur district, to rigorous life imprisonment for the murder of Dharam Pal Bansal. The court found Raj Kumar guilty of firing a shot that struck the victim in the chest, resulting in his death.

In addition to the life sentence, the court imposed a fine of Rs 1,55,000 on him, with instructions that the amount be paid to the victim’s family after recovery.

The case was registered based on a statement given by Sharda Bansal, the wife of the deceased. She alleged that her husband had purchased 30 bighas of land in Pohir village, Ludhiana, in the name of their son Pankaj Bansal, who resides in the USA.

According to the complaint, Raj Kumar and his family members, including Ram Kumar, Anita, Darshna Devi, Abhishek, Usha Rani and Shubham, all residents of Dashmesh Nagar, Mandi Ahmedgarh, were allegedly attempting to illegally dispossess them of the land. The complainant stated that when they returned from abroad on July 21, 2016, they found the path leading to their house dug up. Dharam Pal Bansal reported the matter to the police via an SMS.

The situation escalated the next morning when Raj Kumar, accompanied by his family members and others, allegedly trespassed onto the land with an intent to forcibly take possession of the same. When Sharda Bansal, her husband Dharam Pal and their neighbour Shakti Sharma arrived at the scene, Raj Kumar fired a shot from his pistol, hitting the victim in the chest. Despite efforts by Sharda Bansal and a servant, Sanjay, to intervene in the matter, other members of the Raj Kumar’s group allegedly assaulted them.

Following the incident, Dharam Pal was rushed to the Civil Hospital in Dehlon, where he was declared dead. Later, his body was shifted to the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, for post-mortem examination.

However, the court acquitted co-accused Anita (wife of the convict), Darshna Devi, Usha Rani and Shubham, all residents of Dashmesh Nagar, Mandi Ahmedgarh. The proceedings against the convict’s son were relegated to the juvenile board, as he was of a tender age.