New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) Bihar BJP MLA Raju Kumar Singh on Tuesday moved the Delhi High Court against his conviction and four-year sentence for the death of a woman in celebratory firing in 2018.
Issuing notice, Justice Manoj Jain asked Delhi Police to file its response to Singh’s applications seeking suspension of his conviction and sentence in the case.
The judge orally observed that the legislator from Bihar’s Sahebganj has been convicted of a “serious” offence and listed the matter for hearing on Thursday.
“Section 304 is serious. Why should you seek suspension? We will have it tomorrow or day after and call for a response,” the court observed.
The court also sought the participation of the legal representatives of the deceased in the proceedings.
On July 4, a trial court had sentenced Singh to simple imprisonment for four years for the death of the woman and slammed “gun culture”, saying “we need neither a Singham nor a Pushpa in a state governed by the rule of law”.
It had also slapped a fine of Rs 25 lakh on the legislator who was earlier convicted for the death of a guest, Archana Gupta, at a new year party at a farmhouse in Fatehpur Beri here on the night of December 31, 2018.
In its 34-page verdict, the court refused to grant leniency, saying Singh was apparently drunk on the arrogance of power and seemingly wanted to project his status by firing. It said such actions encourage an ecosystem of illicit firearms and have led to the entry of ‘Bahubalis’ in politics.
Singh was convicted last month under Section 304 part II (culpable homicide not amounting to murder with knowledge) of the IPC and under provisions of the Arms Act relating to contravention of licence conditions.
The provision provides for a maximum imprisonment of 10 years or fine, or both. PTI ADS ZMN
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