The Bombay High Court dealt a severe blow to Mumbai's once-renowned encounter specialist, Pradeep Sharma, on Tuesday.
Sharma, a former police officer, was convicted and handed a life sentence for his involvement in the staged encounter of Ramnarayan Gupta, an alleged associate of gangster Chhota Rajan, back in 2006.
Contrary to the earlier verdict by the sessions court, which acquitted Sharma, the division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Gauri Godse deemed the lower court's decision "perverse and unsustainable."
The high court emphasised the presence of compelling evidence against Sharma, including his role in the criminal conspiracy, murder, kidnapping, and wrongful confinement of the victim.
The case dates back to November 11, 2006, when Ramnarayan Gupta was purportedly picked up by a police team and subsequently killed in a staged encounter near Versova in Mumbai.
The court found Sharma guilty on all charges and directed him to surrender before the concerned sessions court within three weeks.
Interestingly, Sharma is not only entangled in this legal battle but also faces charges related to the recovery of gelatin sticks outside Mukesh Ambani's residence in 2021 and the subsequent killing of businessman Mansukh Hiran.
Despite obtaining bail from the Supreme Court in the latter case, Sharma's legal troubles persist.
Furthermore, the high court upheld the conviction and life sentences of 13 individuals, including 12 policemen and a civilian, involved in the same case.
However, six others were acquitted by the court, underscoring the complexity and gravity of the legal proceedings.
The prosecution's case highlighted the gruesome nature of the crime, portraying the police officers, who were expected to uphold the law, as perpetrators of premeditated murder.
Special Public Prosecutor Rajiv Chavan argued vehemently for Sharma's conviction, alleging his pivotal role as the mastermind behind the abduction and murder operation.
Overall, the Bombay High Court's ruling reflects a significant legal milestone, underscoring the importance of justice and accountability in cases of police misconduct and extrajudicial killings.
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