Celebratory firing case: Delhi court reserves order on Bihar BJP MLA Raju Kumar Singh’s sentence

New Delhi, July 3 (IANS) A Delhi court on Friday reserved its order on the quantum of sentence to be imposed on Bihar BJP MLA Raju Kumar Singh, who was recently convicted for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and violation of the Arms Act in connection with the death of a woman during celebratory firing at a New Year’s Eve party in the national capital in 2018.

The Rouse Avenue Court said it would pronounce the sentence on Saturday after hearing submissions from both sides and considering the report submitted by the Probation Officer.

During the hearing, the Probation Officer placed a report before the court stating that Singh is also facing a murder case in Bihar, in which he has been granted bail by the Patna High Court.

Seeking leniency, Singh’s counsel argued that although several criminal cases have been registered against the legislator, he has never been convicted in any of them.

It was submitted that most of the cases were lodged during election periods by political rivals, while in several matters he was either acquitted or no chargesheet was filed.

The defence further submitted that Singh is a six-time MLA and that a sentence exceeding two years could result in his disqualification from the legislature under the Representation of the People Act.

It urged the court to grant him an opportunity for reformation. Highlighting his public life, the counsel said Singh and his family have remained actively associated with politics for years. It was submitted that no criminal case was registered against him before 2009, his wife has served as an MLC, and his father was a village head for a decade.

The defence also argued that the deceased was like a sister-in-law to Singh’s family and that his wife was present on the dance floor at the time of the incident.

It submitted that the incident amounted to a personal tragedy for the family, that Singh had already spent about two months in jail, and that he had never attempted to influence or pressure the victim’s family during the trial.

Expressing regret over the incident, the defence said the unfortunate occurrence should not have happened and sought the minimum sentence.

In the previous hearing, the Rouse Avenue Court had sought a report from the Probation Officer before deciding the quantum of sentence.

Last month, the Rouse Avenue Court convicted Singh under Section 304 Part II of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 30 of the Arms Act, holding that his act of firing from a licensed pistol at a crowded gathering was done with the knowledge that it was likely to cause death.

The case relates to an incident on the night of December 31, 2018, when a New Year celebration was being held at a farmhouse in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area. During the event, a bullet allegedly fired during celebratory gunfire struck architect Dr Archana Gupta, who later succumbed to her injuries during treatment.

An FIR was subsequently registered at Fatehpur Beri police station, following which Delhi Police arrested Singh and others during the investigation.

While convicting Singh, the court acquitted his wife, Renu Singh, and two other co-accused — Rana Rajesh Singh and Ramendra Singh — extending them the benefit of doubt.

–IANS

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