In a significant development, a court in Kanpur has sentenced a 26-year-old youth to life imprisonment for the murder of his neighbour, 52-year-old Nisha Kejriwal, during a robbery at her residence seven years ago.
Insights:
The tragic incident, which occurred on 12 July 2017, shook the local community after Nisha Kejriwal’s body discovered inside her home.
During the investigation, CCTV footage crucially placed the then-19-year-old Aditya Narain Singh at the scene of the crime.
Singh, who shared friendly relations with the Kejriwal family, meticulously planned the robbery knowing the household’s daily routine.
Police uncovered significant evidence linking Singh to the crime, including the recovery of stolen gold and silver ornaments along with Rs 1.4 lakh in cash from his residence.
Investigators also learned that Singh had recently returned from Mumbai, where he had pursued legal studies briefly before his expulsion due to disciplinary issues.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution, led by additional district government counsel Vinod Tripathi, vehemently argued for capital punishment, citing the brutal nature of the crime.
Tripathi highlighted Singh’s use of a hammer and knife to inflict as many as 13 blows on Nisha Kejriwal’s face, emphasizing the heinousness of his actions.
In a notable turn, Additional Sessions Judge Azad Singh noted several procedural lapses by investigating officer Rajan Kumar Rawat and directed authorities to review the case file thoroughly.
The judge ordered that a copy of the court’s decision be forwarded to the police commissioner for necessary action against the investigative oversights.
The verdict has brought some closure to the Kejriwal family, who endured years of uncertainty and pain following Nisha Kejriwal’s untimely demise.
The sentence underscores the judicial system’s commitment to delivering justice despite challenges in the investigative process.
Local residents have expressed relief at the court’s decision, hopeful that it will serve as a deterrent against similar crimes in the future.
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