Former PP among five sent to jail in 31-year-old Darbhanga murder case

Patna: Two senior lawyers, including a former public prosecutor (PP), among five persons were sent to jail in Darbhanga on Monday in a 31-year-old murder case. The incident occurred on Aug 8, 1994, when a group of people opened fire on a group of farmers, killing a person and injuring several others.

The court convicted all the accused in the case and will announce their quantum of punishment on Jan 31.The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge (III) Suman Kumar Dwivedi delivered the verdict, convicting Kaushar Imam Hashmi, Amber Imam Hashmi, Raja Hashmi, Mobin Hashmi, and Anjar Hashmi under various sections, including murder. Kaushar is a former public prosecutor.Public prosecutor Amarendra Narayan Jha said, “All the accused, residents of Basant village in Bishanpur police station area, were convicted under murder and other serious sections.”The incident occurred around 7pm on Aug 8, 1994. Ramkripal Chaudhary and Rampukar Chaudhary of Patori village, along with about 12 farmers, were returning after grazing buffaloes and were watering the cattle at the pond. Meanwhile, more than 25 people from Basant village arrived armed with axes, spears, and guns, and surrounded the cattle herders.It is alleged that the accused attempted to forcibly take the cattle to Basant village. When opposed, indiscriminate firing began. In this firing, Ramkripal died on the spot, while Mohan Chaudhary, Ravindra Chaudhary, Ashok Chaudhary, Kailash Bihari Chaudhary, Sangeet Chaudhary, and Rampukar Chaudhary of Patori village were seriously injured.During this long judicial process, more than six people named in the FIR died.