In the Chandan Gupta murder case, all the 28 accused were sentenced to life imprisonment on Friday. A National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court had convicted 28 people in connection with the murder of Chandan Gupta, who was shot dead during a communal clash that broke out as the Tiranga Yatra was taking place in Uttar Pradesh’s Kasganj district in 2018. The accused were convicted on charges of murder, attempted murder, rioting and insulting the national flag on Thursday.
"All the accused have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Two people have been acquitted. We will appeal against their acquittal. Salim has been sentenced additional 7 years of rigorous imprisonment," Government Counsel Manoj Kumar Tripathi said.
The case has drawn significant attention after Chandan Gupta's death triggered riots and tensions in the region. The NIA court had acquitted Nasiruddin and Asim Qureshi, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to convict them.
All about the Kasganj murder case:
On the morning of January 26, 2018, Chandan Gupta and his brother Vivek Gupta took part in a Tiranga Yatra. When the procession reached near the Government Girls Inter College gate on Tehsil Road, a group, including Salim, Wasim and Naseem, allegedly blocked the road and stopped the procession, a government counsel said.
When Chandan objected, the situation escalated and stone-pelting began from the side of the accused, the lawyer said. Salim, one of the main accused, shot Chandan, seriously injuring him, he said.
Despite the grave injury, Vivek and their companions managed to rush Chandan to the Kasganj police station, from where he was immediately transferred to the district hospital where he was declared dead shortly after arrival.
The murder of Chandan led to communal riots in Kasganj for three days, fueling communal tensions in the region. Chandan's father Sushil Gupta lodged a murder complaint. In September 2019, the Kasganj Sessions Court framed charges against 23 individuals. Later, in November 2019, charges were framed against an additional seven persons.
What were the charges?
The charges included Sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting with deadly weapons), 307/149 (attempted murder), 302/149 (murder), 341 (wrongful restraint), 336 (endangerment), 504 (intentional insult), 506 (criminal intimidation), and Section 124K (insult to national flag) of the Indian Penal Code.
Additionally, several of the accused faced charges under the Arms Act for possession of firearms. The trial was transferred to the Lucknow court after initial proceedings in Kasganj. After Thursday's conviction, Chandan's parents said they had faith in the judicial process.
"We have full faith in the court, and we will be satisfied with whatever verdict is given," said Chandan's father, Sushil Gupta.
(With PTI inputs)
