LI Network
Published on: 20 August 2023 at 19:23 IST
The Supreme Court has convicted former RJD Leader and ex-Member of Parliament (MP) Prabhunath Singh in the 1995 double-murder case.
The verdict, delivered on Friday, highlighted serious lapses in the investigation and prosecution, deeming the case an “exceptionally painful episode” within the criminal justice system.
The case revolves around the tragic events of 1995, where Singh, a prominent political figure and MP at the time, was found guilty of committing culpable homicide amounting to murder (Section 302 IPC) and attempt to murder (Section 307 IPC).
The judgment pointed out the strategic manipulation of witnesses, biased conduct by law enforcement and legal authorities, and irregularities in the trial process.
The bench, headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and joined by Justice Abhay S. Oka, reviewed the case extensively. The victim, Harendra Singh, had contested a judgment from December 2, 2021, issued by a Single Judge Bench of the Patna High Court.
The High Court’s judgment acquitted Singh of all charges, which were initially brought against him after an FIR was filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Arms Act.
The investigation timeline spanned over a decade before charges were formally framed in 2006. However, even during the trial, the court observed a lack of diligence in the prosecution’s efforts, with key witnesses turning hostile and important evidence disregarded.
The judgment emphasized that the Trial Court and High Court failed to recognize the intricacies of the case and disregarded vital administrative reports.
The turning point in the case was the abduction of a crucial court witness, Smt. Lalmuni Devi, the mother of one of the deceased individuals. This event led to the filing of a Habeas Corpus Petition before the High Court.
The Supreme Court underscored that Singh’s downfall was precipitated by this grave mistake, which eventually exposed his wrongdoing.
Justice Vikram Nath, the author of the judgment, noted that Singh had managed to sway the investigation in his favor through political influence and manipulation of formal witnesses.
The court criticized the prosecution’s role and the impartiality of the trial proceedings.
While the conviction and sentencing for Singh have been confirmed, the bench maintained the acquittal of other accused individuals due to a lack of evidence tying them to the crime.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on September 1, 2023, with the court ordering Singh’s custody during this period.