Man sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his co-worker for Rs 500

Noida: A man was stabbed at his home in front of his wife for a meagre sum of Rs 500 in 2023. Three days later, he died during treatment at Safdarjung Hospital. Three years on, an additional sessions court has sentenced his co-worker to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of killing the man.Following a complaint by the victim’s cousin, Gyan Singh, an FIR was filed at Ecotech III police station. He told the cops that Vijay Harikishan had stabbed Ramavatar Singh on March 7, 2023. Vijay and Ramavatar were then working together as house painters and Gyan Singh’s cousin owed Vijay Rs 500.On March 7 night, Vijay walked into Ramavatar’s home and demanded the money. Gyan Singh told police that Vijay was inebriated and hence, his cousin asked Vijay to return the next day and collect the amount. “This angered him and he charged with a kitchen knife that he had brought along,” Gyan Singh said.Ramavatar died during treatment at Safdarjung Hospital on March 10 and police registered the case under IPC sections 302, 324 and 504 along with Section 4/25 Arms Act. Vijay was arrested within a couple of days and a chargesheet was filed on May 15. The court framed charges on July 5.In court, the defence counsel argued that the FIR was filed on March 9, while the incident occurred two days before. “The witnesses have stated that the incident occurred on March 7, indicating a serious contradiction regarding the exact time of the incident. Gyan Singh, the complainant, wasn’t present at the scene, while the only eyewitness in the case is the victim’s wife, Rupa Singh, who has a vested interest. The prosecution has not examined any independent witnesses who could have proven the incident beyond a reasonable doubt. In such circumstances, the accused deserves to be acquitted,” the counsel said.Prosecution counsel Chhavanpal Singh said it is proved from the evidence of complainant Gyan Singh, the victim’s wife Rupa Singh, and the doctor who treated Ramavatar that the incident took place on March 7 at around 08.30pm. “At the time of the incident, apart from the deceased, only his wife was present at the spot so her testimony deserved credence,” he told the court.The court said the testimony of Rupa Singh was enough to prove Vijay guilty of killing her husband. Judge Kumar Gaurav said the case does not fall within the category of the rarest of rare crimes. Therefore, he sentenced Vijay Harikisan to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20,000.Regarding the accusations under the Arms Act, the court, however, observed that a vegetable-cutting knife was recovered from the accused, but such a knife does not require a licence. “Therefore, the accused is not charged with any offence under Section 4 of the Arms Act,” the judge ruled.