Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 11: Principal Sessions Judge Jammu, R S Jain today awarded death sentence to Sangram Pardhi and Nanju, who were the main accused in the much- publicized Chopra family murder case.
After hearing Advocate Ashwani Khajuria for the accused persons, Principal Sessions Judge observed, “there is extensive premeditation and planning of both of them that they entered the house of deceased Rajinder Bhushan Chopra when there was no reason for them to do so”, adding “having done so, both the accused either by themselves or with unknown persons tortured the inmates of the house, which include a house wife namely Madhu Chopra and her young daughter, in a cruel and horrific manner”.
“The extent of injuries suffered by the victims at the hands of accused is such as inevitably show an intention to kill at that time. There is another significant aggravating factor. The accused killed vulnerable persons including a housewife and young girl”, Principal Sessions Judge said, adding “the counsel for accused has referred to mitigating factors. One of the mitigating factors is that accused have no previous convictions. That is of little weight in a murder of this gravity. The horror of what happened is all too apparent”.
“The sentence must reflect both the number of deaths and also that the cruel manner in which the accused tortured the victims. The murders are committed for gains otherwise there was no reason for accused to commit the murders of five persons in one go and remorselessly. This also reflects their maniacal nature and disregard for human life”, the court observed.
Principal Sessions Judge further observed, “both the accused had come all the way from Madhya Pradesh to Jammu having done their planning to commit offence. The accused had no qualm in taking out the life out of five persons. Five persons, whose death would affect their loved ones for their entire life. The lives of Rohit Chopra and Puneet Chopra, two students, whose parents and sister were eliminated. The lives of the parents of deceased Jagan and Sonu. No sentence this court can pass which will ease that pain of three families”.
“The instant case without a shadow of doubt falls in the category of the rarest of rare cases where culpability has assumed the proportion of extreme depravity and lack of respect for human life. The medical evidence and photographs say it all. While on the photographs of the victims, court is of the view that even in death, the victims are entitled to dignity”, Principal Sessions Judge said.
With the observations, court awarded death sentence to Sangram Pardhi and Nanju and directed that the sentence of conviction imposed upon the accused persons shall be submitted to the High Court in terms of Section 374 RPC for confirmation.
“Proceedings under Section 512 CrPC were initiated against accused Sanjay Kumar and general warrant of arrest had been issued against him. As and when the general warrant of arrest against accused is executed, the file may be requested from the High Court”, the court said.
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