Click to play videoNew Delhi: The District and Sessions court of Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh on Friday pronounced as guilty all the eight accused in the sensational Manjunath murder case.
The court headed by District Judge S M Abidi found the accused guilty of murder, conspiracy and destruction of evidence.
Abidi said the quantum of punishment will be announced on March 26 after hearing prosecution and defence arguments.
“There's no happiness for us anymore but we are satisfied with the verdict,” said Manjunath’s brother, Vignesh Shanmugham.
Manjunath's family's loss is irreparable but they are satisfied that the guilty are being punished.
The 27-year-old IIM graduate was working as a sales officer with the Indian Oil Corporation when he was shot dead on November 19, 2005 for blowing the whistle on the petrol pump adulteration racket run by Monu Mittal and his aide Devesh Agnihotri in Lakhimpur kheri, Uttar Pradesh.
Manjunath's bullet ridden body was recovered five days later. A local court has now found the Monu, Devesh and six others guilty.
The eight accused have also been found guilty of criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence.
Monu Mittal has been found guilty under the Arms Act for allowing his licensed weapon to be used for killing someone.
“We're going to ask for the death penalty. This case falls in the rarest-of-rare category,” said Manjunath's lawyer, I B Singh.
Not happy with the district court's judgment, Monu Mittal's supporters started threatening media persons and created a ruckus.
“We'll appeal to the higher court,” said the defence counsel, Avdhesh Kumar Singh.
In response, Manjunath's father, M Shanmugham, said, “They are foolish. Everybody knows what happened to my son.”
The quantum of punishment for the convicted is expected to be announced on Monday.
But for now, the judgment has restored Manjunath's family's faith in the judicial system.
“We thought it will take five-six years but it has happened very fast,” said Manjunath's mother, Pramila.
The family attributes it to sustained support from the IIM Lucknow Alumini, Indian Oil officers and the media.
(With inputs from Arunima and Shwetal Kamalapurkar)
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.