Bengaluru Court Sentences 8 to Life Imprisonment for 2017 Ashok Nagar Murder

A Bengaluru court has sentenced eight men to rigorous life imprisonment for the murder of a man named Harish in Ashok Nagar, stemming from an altercation over smoking near his residence during Vijayadashami celebrations in 2017.

The 58th Additional City Civil and Sessions Court, presided over by Judge Sujata M. Sambrani, convicted all the accused under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Public Prosecutor Mahalingappa Uttura stated in a press note.

The convicted individuals are Gerald Arogyaraj, James Kumar, Venkatesh, Vijay, Kiran, Vikram, and two minors. The court also awarded additional sentences under IPC Sections 144 (joining unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapon), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), and 341 (wrongful restraint). A total of ₹3.9 lakh from the fines levied is to be disbursed to Harish’s family.

According to the prosecution's statement, the incident originated in the Ashok Nagar Police Station limits on October 1, 2017. At around 12.30 a.m., Harish stepped outside to watch the Vijayadashami procession and saw three men smoking and talking loudly near his house. When he objected to their behaviour and creating a nuisance, an argument broke out. Harish allegedly assaulted the trio and warned them against returning to the spot.

The three men subsequently informed the other accused about the altercation. A few days later, the group decided to kill Harish and ambushed him near his residence.

During the attack, one of the accused struck Harish with a machete while another stabbed him in the back. The other accomplices assisted in the assault. Two of the accused then crushed his head with a stone, resulting in his death on the spot.