Ex-UP MLA Vijay Mishra awarded life imprisonment in 46-year-old murder case

The Special MP–MLA Court in Prayagraj on Wednesday sentenced 'Baahubali' leader and former Uttar Pradesh MLA Vijay Mishra and three other accused to rigorous life imprisonment in a 46-year-old murder case.

Judge Yogesh Kumar Tiwari found Mishra, Jeet Narayan, Sant Ram, and Balram guilty of the murder of Prakash Narayan Pandey, who was shot dead in the court premises in 1980.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh each on all the convicts. In addition, it awarded them a 10-year jail term and a fine of Rs 50,000 each under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

Mishra, a former four-term MLA representing Gyanpur constituency, was brought from Agra jail under tight security for the pronouncement of the verdict, while the other three accused were taken into custody a day earlier.

The case dates back to February 11, 1980, when the university student had come to the district court in connection with a bail hearing. Owing to an old enmity, Mishra and his associates allegedly opened indiscriminate fire inside the court premises, killing the 35-year-old. Five others were also injured in the incident.

Following the murder, the victim’s elder brother, Shyam Narayan Pandey, lodged an FIR at the Colonelganj police station in Prayagraj. But the case took more than four decades to reach its conclusion, as attempts were allegedly made to shield the accused.

However, strong arguments by ADGC (Criminal) Sushil Kumar Vaishya and Special Public Prosecutor Virendra Kumar Singh ensured that justice was delivered.

The verdict, delivered after 46 years, is seen as a major blow to the political and criminal influence of the Uttar Pradesh strongman.

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