Hoshiarpur: Man found guilty of murder receives a life sentence and a fine of Rs 25,000

Judge Dilbagh Singh Johal of the District and Sessions Court found murder suspect Surjit Singh, also known as Seeta, guilty and sentenced him to life in rigorous imprisonment (RI) and a fine of Rs 20,000 under Section 302 of the IPC. He would be subject to additional RI for a period of six months if the fine was not paid. Surjit was also fined Rs 5,000 and sentenced to three years of rehabilitation under Section 201 of the IPC. He would also be subject to two months of RI if the fine was not paid.

On May 31, 2022, an investigation officer (IO) named Inspector Bikramjit Singh, SHO, was assigned to patrol duty at Adda Randhawa when a case was reported to the Dasuya police station. He was accompanied by Kalaran villager Satnam Singh. He said to the SHO that on May 26, Kalaran villager Surjit Singh, also known as Seeta, visited their home and requested his brother Om Parkash to accompany him in doing manual labor. That same day, Surjit was driven to work at Dasuya by Om Parkash. Om Parkash did not go back home after that. But Surjit returned to the village. The complainant’s mother, Santosh Kumari, asked Surjit about Om Parkash. Om Parkash had gone with Mason, he informed her. Om Parkash didn’t even come home the next day. Om’s family began looking for him but was unable to locate him. Three days later, Surjit also departed from his home. The local sarpanch, Paramjit Singh, was informed by his neighbors that Surjit had left his home. They said that his home’s septic tank was emitting an unpleasant stench. When the septic tank lid at Surjit’s residence was removed by the locals while Paramjit was there, they discovered a dead corpse within.

Mom of Om Parkash arrived at the location as well. The dead corpse was removed and the septic tank disassembled with the assistance of the locals. After cleaning, Om Parkash’s corpse was discovered. After receiving information, the police on June 1, 2022, filed a complaint and took Surjit Singh, also known as Seeta, into custody. Surjit admitted during questioning that he killed Om Parkash with a wooden spade handle.

Surjit said to the police that he and Om Parkash returned to his home in Kalaran village on May 26 after working as laborers in Dasuya. Surjit said that he owed Om Parkash money. The two got into a fight over money. Om Parkash lost consciousness when Surjit, in a fit of fury, grabbed the spade’s handle and struck him on the left side of his head and nose. Later, he closed the septic tank lid after discarding Om Parkash in it.

Following consideration of the reasons presented by both parties, the court found the accused guilty of murder and imposed the sentence.

Use a spade handle to strike the victim.

Accused Surjit Singh admitted to the police that he owed Om Parkash money. They were fighting with each other. Om Parkash lost consciousness when Surjit, in a fit of fury, grabbed the spade’s handle and struck him on the left side of his head and nose. Later, he closed the septic tank lid after discarding Om Parkash in it.