Life-imprisonment awarded in murder over land dispute

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 24: Additional Sessions Judge Rajouri Mehmood Choudhary today awarded life-imprisonment to Romesh Kumar, son of Tara Chand, who was facing trial in murder over land dispute.
However, court acquitted brother Ram Lal, his wife Kunti Devi and his close relative Tara Chand and his wife Pushpa Devi from the charges.
After hearing both the sides, Additional Sessions Judge observed, “it has been brought in the notice of the court during hearing on quantum of sentence that accused is a first time offender. He is a teacher by profession, having children and wife who is also a Government teacher. So, the wife and children have sufficient means to live a dignified life”.
“It was argued that awarding of death penalty will cost the whole family hugely and will get wreck completely. Now, their any hope of survival will be just a hope to see him alive in jail and an expectation of him to be released at any stage of time. On the other hand, I do not find any such gravest aggravating circumstance which is so uncommon in our society about the crime committed”, the Judge said.
“Taking a joint and holistic view of the circumstances, I am of the considered view that in the facts and circumstances of this case, the life imprisonment is the appropriate punishment to be awarded to the convict for commission of murder of the deceased with fine of Rs 50,000”, the Judge said.

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