• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. Bihar BJP MLA Raju Singh sentenced to four years prison.
  2. Convicted for 2018 celebratory firing, causing Dr. Gupta's death.
  3. Stripped of legislative membership, ordered Rs 25 lakh compensation.

Jagran Correspondent, New Delhi: A Delhi Court on Saturday sentenced Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bihar MLA Raju Kumar Singh to four years in prison in connection with a 2018 celebratory firing incident that led to the death of a woman, Dr Archana Gupta.

Following the verdict, Singh was stripped of his legislative membership. Under the Representation of the People Act, any MP or MLA sentenced to two years or more in a criminal case becomes ineligible to be a member of the House from the date of conviction.

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Bihar BJP MLA Convicted; Ordered To Pay Rs 25 Lakh Compensation

The Rouse Avenue Court has convicted Raju Kumar Singh, the BJP MLA from Bihar’s Sahibganj, under Section 304 Part II of the Indian Penal Code (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and the Arms Act. The court has also directed Singh to pay Rs 25 lakh in compensation to the victim's family, Jagran.com reported.

The conviction stems from a 2018 celebratory firing incident that led to the death of Dr Archana Gupta.

A Look At Raju Kumar Singh's Political Career

Singh has been an MLA from Bihar's Sahibganj several times since 2005. Over his political career, he has won elections on tickets from the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Janata Dal (United), and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), before later joining the BJP.

Additionally, he has previously served as the Tourism Minister in the Bihar government.

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What Court Said On Celebratory Firing?

The court stated that celebratory firing has become a serious social problem in the country, adding that the negligence of the accused resulted in the death of Dr Gupta during a New Year’s party held the intervening night of December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2019.

During the investigation, authorities recovered weapons and ammunition from the accused. The prosecution argued that this was a case where the lawmaker himself had become the lawbreaker.

(With Inputs From Jagran.com/Ritika Mishra)


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