On 21st October (Wednesday), a terrorist identified as Mohammed Sharief, was given two life sentences alongside a fine of Rs 2 lakh by a Jammu court. He killed three members of a family, including a six-month-old baby, in the Gool area of Ramban district more than 21 years ago. The verdict was delivered by Principal Sessions Judge Ramban Ajay Kumar Gupta.
In addition to the life sentences, the court sentenced Sharief to two distinct 10-year terms under different provisions related to murder and offences under the Indian Arms Act.
A life sentence and a penalty of Rs. 50,000 under Section 302 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) and another life sentence and a fine of Rs. 50,000 under Section 121-A RPC were imposed by the court. Additionally, it slapped another amount of Rs. 50,000 and 10 years of hard imprisonment under Sections 307 RPC and 7/27 of the Indian Arms Act.
“All sentences shall run concurrently, while the period already spent in custody shall be set off in accordance with law,” the judge pronounced. The court mandated that the J&K State Legal Services Authority compensate the survivors and heirs of the deceased in the July 2005 terror attack, as well as compensate those who were injured.
The defence argued that Sharief was young at the time of the incident, which occurred two decades ago, and had already been in prison for several years, suggesting possibilities for rehabilitation. However, the judge dismissed the submissions. He further disregarded the defense’s claims in relation to testimony of two injured eyewitnesses referring to them as trustworthy and supported by medical and other findings.
The court noted that, especially when their attendance at the scene was verified by medical proof, their relationship with the deceased can not be used to reject their testimony. It ruled that when reliable evidence proved the accused’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, a holdup in documenting statements or flawed probes could not automatically lead to an acquittal.
The prosecution informed that on 27th July 2005 two armed terrorists named Shabir Ahmed and Mohammed Sharief broke into Abdul Rashid Bohra’s home in Sokhar, and questioned the family about their son Tanveer Ahmed over his ties with the Army. Taja Begum, her daughter Shaheena Bano, and six-month-old Muntazar Ahmed were killed by the duo, who had unleashed indiscriminate firing using their AK-47 rifles. Abdul Rashid and Mashooma Begum, his daughter-in-law, were seriously wounded in the attack.
Afterwards, Police Station Gool filed an FIR in accordance with Sections 7/27 of the Arms Act and Sections 302, 307, and 121-A RPC. Police gathered witness accounts, medical evidence, and 17 empty cartridges from the scene during the inquiry. The terrorists first went untraced, necessitating procedures under Section 512 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
However, Sharief was arrested on 6th February 2019, after which the trial went forward. Meanwhile, a death certificate proved that the other perpetrator, Shabir Ahmed, had passed away on 21st July 2006. Hence, the proceedings against him were halted in February 2022.
