Three get 10-year jail term for killing man over refusal to sell chicken on credit

MUMBAI: A sessions court on Tuesday convicted and sentenced three men to 10 years' imprisonment for assaulting and killing a 37-year-old chicken shop owner at Elphinstone Road for refusing to give chicken on credit in 2015.


The trio, Kundan Chaudhary (27), Sanjay Kumar Bharti (23), Damodar Shau (22), were found guilty of

culpable homicide

not amounting to murder as the attack was not pre-meditated.

Public prosecutor Iqbal Solkar examined 10 witnesses, including eyewitnesses. The prosecution alleged that the incident took place around 8.30 pm on January 26, 2015. The prosecution submitted that Choudhary, who resided in the same locality, picked up an argument with the victim Tahir Shaikh over giving him chicken on credit. Sanjay and Damodar were also present.

They insisted that Tahir give in to their demand, but he refused as the earlier bill had not been cleared. The prosecution further submitted that an altercation took place and Tahir was attacked with fist blows on his chest. It was further submitted that when Tahir fell, Choudhary attempted to strangulate him. The trio then tried to flee the spot, but neighbours followed them and Choudhary was caught. Tahir was found unconscious and rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead. NM Joshi Marg police station registered a case of murder and arrested the trio. Subsequently, they were granted bail.