The local court has convicted 15 accused and sentenced them to life imprisonment in connection with the caste conflict that took place 23 years ago in 2001 over a Panchayat plot in Datia village of Highway police station in Mathura district of UP. Besides, a fine of Rs 73-73 thousand has also been imposed on the accused. Special Public Prosecutor Suresh Prasad Sharma said on Thursday that around 7.00 am on January 23, 2001, in village Datia of Police Station Highway (which was then known as Narhauli Police Station), construction work started on the Panchayati plot by the upper caste party. was being done. This construction work was opposed by Scheduled Caste people, which took the form of caste conflict. He told that Horilal from the Dalit side had filed a case in this matter. He had alleged that the upper caste party had beaten, fired bullets and set fire in the village, in which Rajendra Singh, a Scheduled Caste, was shot in the thigh. Six month old girl Gudiya was burnt alive in her hut. On the basis of the complaint, the police registered a case against 16 people. He told that in this case, first the police area officer (Sadar) investigated, but later the investigation was sent to Crime Branch- Secret Investigation Department (CBCID), Agra. The names of eight more accused came to light during the investigation. Two chargesheets were filed one by one. However, the accused party took a stay order on the hearing of the case from Allahabad High Court.
Hearing of the case gained momentum in 2021
Suresh Prasad Sharma further said that later when the stay order was lifted and the hearing of the case gained momentum in 2021, the process of debate and testimony was completed on January 25, 2024. Nine accused in this case have died during the long hearing. While the remaining 15 accused were found guilty by the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge (SC/ST Act) Manoj Kumar Mishra on Wednesday and sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 73,000 each. All the culprits have been sent to jail. Life imprisonment and Rs 25,000 fine under IPC section 302 (murder), life imprisonment and Rs 25,000 fine under SC/ST Act, 10 years imprisonment and Rs 10,000 fine under IPC section 307 (murderous assault) against all of them. Fine, 10 years imprisonment and fine of Rs 10,000 in section 436 of IPC (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house etc.) and 3 years imprisonment in section 148 of IPC (being aggressive with deadly weapon) and He has been sentenced to a fine of Rs 3,000. All these punishments will run concurrently.