20 yrs on, man gets life term for killing zila panchayat member

Agra: A court in Aligarh has sentenced a 60-year-old man to life in jail for the murder of a zila panchayat member nearly two decades ago over poll rivalry. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the convict.In June 2006, panchayat member Rajveer Singh, 28, was shot dead by Prithvi Singh at Alampur in Aligarh’s Atrauli area. In his police complaint, Rajveer’s brother Rajender Singh stated: “Around 8pm, Rajveer Singh had stepped out from his house and when he was passing by my place, the accused fired at him with a pistol. The bullet hit him in the chest.”The complainant added: “Hearing the gunshot, villagers came out to catch the accused, but Prithvi fled. Rajveer managed to walk a short distance before collapsing near a house. He later died in hospital.”According to additional district govt counsel (ADGC) Mape Singh, the complainant also spoke about the long-standing rivalry over local panchayat polls between the two sides. They had fought in the past as well, the ADGC said.Based on the complaint, police registered an FIR under IPC section 302 (murder). Police filed a chargesheet in court, and the accused, who was at large, was arrested and sent to prison.“After examining the evidence presented and testimonies of witnesses, additional sessions judge Vipin Kumar convicted Prithvi Singh. On Monday, the convict was sentenced to life imprisonment,” said the ADGC.