No Mercy: Delhi HC Refuses to Suspend Life Sentence for Rohini Court Murder
The Delhi High Court refused to suspend the life sentence of a juvenile convicted of murdering a rival gang member outside Rohini Court.
The Delhi High Court has firmly declined a plea to suspend the life sentence of a juvenile convicted for a brazen act of violence: the firing and murder of an individual in police custody outside the Rohini Court. The court emphasized the gravity of the crime, noting that the attack took place in a secure environment while the victim was under the watch of law enforcement.
A Bold Attack Outside the Court
The incident dates back to 2017, when the appellant, who was a minor over the age of 17 at the time, carried out the shooting. According to the Delhi Police, the attacker was an associate of the notorious Neeraj Bawana Gang. The target was Rajesh Durmuth, a member of a rival gang, who had been brought to the Rohini Court for a hearing by the Haryana Police.
The appellant was apprehended directly from the scene of the crime. After a legal process, he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2026.
The Court's Refusal
A Division Bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Dinesh Bhatt heard the arguments regarding the suspension of the sentence. Despite the pleas from the defense, the bench refused to grant relief. The judges highlighted the shocking nature of the crime—specifically that the appellant fired shots outside a court complex and killed a person who was already in police custody.
Furthermore, the court took note of the appellant's criminal history, as he had been named in several other cases, indicating a pattern of lawlessness.
The Arguments: Investigation Lapses vs. Criminal Record
Advocate Parveen Dabas, representing the appellant, urged the court to consider that the convict had already spent seven years and nine months in custody. The defense also pointed toward significant flaws in the investigation, claiming that while residue samples were collected, they were never sent for forensic examination. Additionally, it was mentioned that four other accused persons in the same case had been discharged by the trial court.
However, Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Ritesh Bahri strongly opposed the application for suspension. The APP argued that the nature of the crime—shooting a prisoner in the custody of the Haryana Police—was too severe for bail. He further revealed a troubling detail: the convict had been booked in another criminal case in Jhajjar, Haryana, while he was out on interim bail for the Rohini Court murder case.
What Happens Next?
Given the severity of the offense and the appellant's conduct, the High Court has denied the request for the suspension of the sentence. The appeal against the judgment and the subsequent sentencing has been listed for a full hearing in January 2027.