RJD Leader Prabhunath Singh Sentenced to Life Imprisonment by SC in 1995 Double Murder Case

New Delhi, Sep 01, 2023: The Supreme Court delivered a significant verdict on Friday, sentencing Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Member of Parliament, Prabhunath Singh, to life imprisonment in a double murder case dating back to 1995. The decision comes after the Supreme Court overturned the trial court’s earlier acquittal of Singh.

A bench led by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul held Singh, a former MLA, responsible for the murders of Daroga Rai and Rajendra Rai and an attempted murder charge in connection with a woman during the incident. This case pertains to a tragic episode during the assembly elections in Chapra, Saran district, in March 1995 when two individuals lost their lives for not voting as per Singh’s suggestion.

The apex court also issued orders for Singh and the Bihar government to provide financial compensation to the victims’ families. Each family of the deceased will receive ₹10 lakh, while ₹5 lakh will be awarded to an injured victim.

The judgment, delivered by the Supreme Court, is notable because it is an exception for the court to directly convict an individual. Typically, the Supreme Court serves as an appellate court, either upholding or dismissing convictions made in lower courts.

“In the case with which we are dealing, there is no iota of doubt that the accused-respondent no.2 (Singh) was instrumental in making all possible efforts to wipe out the evidence against him,” noted the bench in its 143-page judgment, emphasizing the gravity of the case within the criminal justice system.

The ruling stated, “We set aside the impugned order of the Patna high court and convict respondent no 2…Prabhunath Singh, under Section 302 (murder) for the murders of Daroga Rai and Rajendra Rai.”

This verdict marks a rare and significant development in India’s legal history, reinforcing the principle that justice will be served, even after decades have passed.