Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 27: Principal Sessions Judge Kathua, Sanjay Dhar today awarded life-imprisonment to Pritam Singh, a resident of Billawar.
According to the police case, on 15.10.2011 a written report was lodged by Nichno Devi with police alleging that Bodh Raj, son of Beli Ram kidnapped the daughter of Thakur Dass. It was also alleged that a Panchayat was convened in the house of Thakur Dass at village Dall to resolve the issue.
While the participants were about to leave for their respective homes, accused Pritam Singh with an intention to commit murder, attacked Hans Raj on his head with a sharp edged weapon resulting in critical injuries to him. On the basis of this report, FIR No.139/2011 for offence under Section 307 RPC was registered and investigation was set into motion.
Following the death of Hans Raj on 16.10.2011, offence under Section 302 RPC was added and dead body of the deceased was subjected to postmortem. Accused was arrested on 17.10.2011 and on the basis of his disclosure the weapon of offence was recovered.
During the course of investigation it came to fore that Bodh Raj had kidnapped Mukesh Rani the daughter of Thakur Dass. The girl was already engaged to Mohinder Kumar, the real brother of accused Pritam Singh and this led to the crime.
After hearing both the sides, Principal Sessions Judge observed, “the accused is not a professional murderer posing a threat to the society at large. He, therefore, needs to be given a chance to repent, as there is nothing on record to show that he cannot be reformed or rehabilitated”, adding “this court is of the opinion that the present case does not fall within the category of rarest of rare cases”.
With these observations and in the light of proof of offence under Section 302 RPC, accused Pritam Singh was awarded life imprisonment.