7 years on, 2 convicted for killing private firm employee in road rage incident

The Additional City Civil and Sessions Court on Monday convicted and sentenced two youths to rigorous life imprisonment for allegedly bludgeoning a 25-year-old private firm employee to death over a trivial road rage incident in the limits of the Mico Layout police station limits seven years ago.

Coincidentally, the verdict came on the birthday of the victim, Siddarth Koushal, a native of Bihar, who was working for a private firm in the city.

According to the prosecution, Siddarth and his friend — who owned a restaurant in Electronics City — were returning home in a car on June 26, 2018 around 3 a.m. after closing the eatery. Two of their friends followed them on a bike. The duo had stopped the car by the roadside to relieve themselves when the accused — Girish, son of a builder, and his friend Mahesh — brushed their bike against the car.

An argument broke out after Siddarth noticed a dent and shouted at them. Enraged, the duo allegedly returned, picked up a stick lying nearby, and attacked Siddarth. By the time his friends rushed to his rescue, the assailants had fled, leaving him grievously injured.

A nearby paan beeda shop owner, who was sleeping outside his shop near a bar and restaurant, woke up to the commotion and recognised one of the attackers. Siddarth, who was profusely bleeding, was rushed to a private hospital, where he succumbed to injuries later.

Based on a complaint, then the Mico Layout Inspector, R.M. Ajay, registered a case of murder and, with the help of the shop owner’s statement, tracked down Girish and later arrested Mahesh. The police collected technical evidence and witness statements before filing a charge sheet in the court.

While Girish remained in judicial custody due to the gravity of the offence, Mahesh was released on bail. During the trial, several eyewitnesses, including the paan shop owner and two of Siddarth’s friends, turned hostile, causing delays in the proceedings. However, strong technical evidence and the effective arguments of Public Prosecutor Mahalingappa ensured the conviction of both accused.

Siddarth’s father, Koushalendra Kumar, an advocate by profession, attended every hearing, even during the COVID-19 lockdown. Following the verdict, he met the police team and distributed sweets as a gesture of gratitude.

“Siddarth was my elder son. We have not celebrated any festival since his death, but today we lit a lamp after the judgment,” Mr. Kumar told the police team.