Delhi HC Refuses Stay on Conviction for Former MLA Raju Kumar Singh
Delhi High Court denies a stay on the conviction of former Bihar MLA Raju Kumar Singh in the 2018 celebratory firing death case.
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday delivered a significant blow to former Sahibganj MLA, Raju Kumar Singh, by dismissing his plea to stay his conviction. The legal battle stems from a tragic 2018 incident where celebratory firing during a New Year's Eve celebration resulted in a death.
While the court refused to halt the conviction itself, it is important to note that Singh's prison sentence has already been suspended. The court will hear his full appeal against the trial court's judgment at a later date.
The 2018 New Year's Eve Tragedy
The case dates back to December 31, 2018, during a New Year's party. The festivities turned fatal when Dr. Archana Gupta lost her life due to celebratory firing. The trial court had previously determined that while there was no direct intention to kill, the act constituted culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Following the investigation, Raju Kumar Singh was convicted under Section 304 Part 2 of the IPC and also under the Arms Act. The trial court, presided over by Special Judge Vishal Gogne, had sentenced him to four years of imprisonment and two months under the Arms Act.
Legal Arguments and Forensic Doubts
Representing the former MLA, Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra raised several points to challenge the conviction. The defense argued that the evidence presented was not sufficiently specific to link the fatal shot directly to the appellant. Key arguments included:
- Conflicting Firearm Sources: The defense pointed out that a security guard was also firing a rifle during the event.
- Inconclusive Forensics: It was argued that forensic reports could not definitively prove whether the bullet recovered from the deceased came from the appellant's pistol or the guard's rifle.
- Criminal Record Context: The counsel noted that while the appellant has been involved in other cases, he has been acquitted in nine of them.
Compensation and Bail Conditions
Although the conviction remains, Justice Manoj Jain had previously suspended the four-year prison sentence on July 27, citing that the appeal would not be heard in the immediate future. To facilitate this suspension, the court imposed the following conditions:
- The appellant must furnish a personal bond and a surety bond of ₹25,000 each.
- A compensation amount of ₹25 Lakh must be deposited with the Registrar.
The court clarified that the family of the deceased, Dr. Archana Gupta, is entitled to withdraw this compensation regardless of the eventual outcome of the ongoing appeal. The legal team for the victim's family has been tasked with informing them of these judicial directions.