INDIA: MAN GETS DEATH SENTENCE FOR KILLING LANCE NAIK IN BAREILLY

March 20, 2024:

A man, who shot dead a Lance Naik in 2018 was awarded capital punishment by a court in UP’s Bareilly on February 28, 2024.
Lance Naik Anil Kumar was shot dead in a busy market in Cantonment area of Bareilly by Dhruv Chaudhary.
Dhruv’s brother Rajesh was harassing the wife of a Subedar and Anil had asked Rajesh to stop it. Rajesh informed his brother Dhruv, a local goon, who then shot Anil while he was on his way back to the Army base. Police had booked Dhruv and Rajesh in the murder case.
The court of additional district and sessions judge (ADJ) Gyanendra Tripathi sentenced Dhruv Chaudhary to death and his brother Rajesh Chaudhary to life imprisonment for the murder.
District government counsel Suneet Pathak said, “Accused Dhruv was provoked by his brother and he shot Lance Naik Anil Kumar (35) dead in front of several people. Dhruv’s brother Rajesh was harassing Anil’s friend’s wife and Anil had confronted him. Police had arrested both brothers and sent them to jail.” He added, “A chargesheet was filed against both men.
Charges were framed against both accused on June 7, 2023 and public prosecutor Sunil Pandey produced 11 witnesses in court.”
Pathak further said, “The judge said even if the culprits’ reform, it will neither bring Anil Kumar back to life nor will it be possible to compensate for the loss suffered by the Army. Only harsh punishment will send a positive message towards the court in the society. The court also said if the culprits are given the benefit of the possibility of reform, the lives of witnesses as well as counsels will be in danger.”