- By Gajendra Pandey
- Tue, 30 Jun 2026 08:33 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Nine accused, including five brothers, received life imprisonment.
- Verdict for 2021 double murder linked to land dispute.
- Key witness Prem Singh was later murdered in 2021.
Jagran Correspondent, Greater Noida | The court of Second Additional Sessions Judge Somprabha Mishra delivered the verdict in the 2021 double murder case related to a land dispute in Girdharpur Sunarsi village in the Badalpur area.
Nine, Including Five Brothers, Get Life Imprisonment
The court convicted nine accused, including five brothers, under various charges, including murder and attempt to murder, rioting, and sentenced them to life imprisonment and a fine of R 86,000 each. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional year in prison.
Following the verdict, the relatives of the deceased breathed a sigh of relief, and the atmosphere in the court premises became emotional.
What Happened On February 8, 2021
According to ADGC Crime Dharmendra Jayant, the murder took place on February 8, 2021, due to a long-standing dispute between two parties over the possession of a piece of land in the village. A Panchayat was called to resolve the matter. As soon as the Panchayat began, the accused began abusing and firing indiscriminately with licensed and other guns with the intent to kill. Suresh alias Salek, Amit son of Gajendra, and Prem son of Khajan, were seriously injured by the bullets.
All three were taken to Yashoda Hospital, where doctors declared Amit dead. Suresh alias Salek died during treatment, while Prem Singh underwent prolonged treatment.
On the day following the incident, based on the complaint filed, a case was registered at the Badalpur police station against Devendra, Ravindra, Satendra, Dharmendra, Jitendra son of Hariya, Bhopal, Mahipal alias Allu son of Jaipal, Amarjeet Bansal, and Amit Bansal under various sections, including murder, attempt to murder, rioting, abusive language, and the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
During the investigation, the police collected evidence from the scene and filed a charge sheet based on eyewitness statements, post-mortem reports, and scientific evidence. During the hearing, the court summoned Amit Bansal under Section 319 of the CrPC and included him in the case.
After examining all the evidence, the court convicted Devendra, Ravindra, Satendra, Dharmendra, Jitendra, Bhopal, Mahipal alias Allu, Amarjeet Bansal, and Amit Bansal. While pronouncing the sentence, the court stated that the mass firing that resulted in the death of two people and the serious injury of one is a heinous crime.
The nature, gravity, and impact of the crime on society should be given priority in determining the punishment. Based on this, sentences were also handed down for other offences, including life imprisonment. Five convicts were present in court via video conferencing, while four were present in person.
What Were Defence Arguments?
The defence pleaded for leniency on the sentencing issue. They stated that Devendra, Ravindra, Satendra, Dharmendra, and Jitendra are brothers. Their father passed away, and they bear the responsibility of the family. Mahipal is unmarried, while the Bhopal and Bansal brothers have young children. None of them has a criminal history, and the case is not among the rarest of rare. However, the court rejected all arguments, noting the gravity of the crime.
A Key Witness Was Also Murdered
Prem Singh, injured in the double murder, later became the most important eyewitness in the case. After treatment, he gave crucial testimony in court. He received police protection for the first few months, but after the protection was lifted, he was shot dead by bike-borne assailants while returning home from the farm on December 16, 2021. A separate case was also registered against the main accused in this case.