Five men sentenced to life in Chandigarh for murder of 21-year-old vendor

A Chandigarh court has sentenced five men to life imprisonment for the murder of a 21-year-old roadside vendor, Amit. The judgment came nearly four years after the incident, bringing some justice to the victim’s family. The court relied on both scientific and eyewitness evidence to reach its decision and dismissed the arguments made by the defence.

Background of the case

The case goes back to March 2021, when Amit, a young vendor who sold snacks on a roadside cart in Mauli Jagran, had borrowed a scooter from one of the accused to use on the festival of Holi. Unfortunately, he met with an accident and the scooter was damaged. Amit paid ₹1,500 to the accused to cover the repair, but the group of youths kept demanding more money.

This disagreement created tension between Amit and the accused. Later in April 2021, the matter took a violent turn. According to the prosecution, four of the accused — Bharat, Rahul, Guru, and Pardeep — who were all residents of Mauli Complex, confronted Amit over the money. In the argument that followed, Amit was stabbed in the back. The single stab wound proved fatal and led to his death.

The police registered a case of murder at the Mauli Jagran police station against all those involved. After investigation, the accused — Bharat, Gurdev, Anil, Pardeep, and Rahul — were arrested and charged for their role in Amit’s killing.

Court proceedings and judgment

The trial was conducted in the court of additional sessions judge Sanjay Sandhir. After hearing all arguments and examining the evidence, the judge announced life imprisonment for all five accused.

The defence counsel tried to argue that the complainant in the case, Amit’s father, was not an eyewitness to the murder. However, the court rejected this claim, noting that there was strong scientific and medical evidence to support the prosecution’s version.

One of the key witnesses, Sahil, stated that the fight started between Amit and Bharat over just ₹100 related to the damage of the borrowed scooter. His testimony supported the story of the prosecution that money disputes had triggered the attack.

Most importantly, the court relied on scientific reports. Dr. Devinder Kumar, an expert, gave the DNA report showing that the blood stains on the weapon matched Amit’s DNA. This crucial evidence connected the accused directly to the crime. The court also pointed out that the testimony of official and police witnesses, as well as medical experts, was reliable and trustworthy.

The judgment stated that the complainant not being an eyewitness did not weaken the prosecution’s case, because there was enough other strong evidence. The combination of eyewitness statements, medical reports, and DNA results proved beyond doubt that the accused were guilty.

Justice for the family

For Amit’s family, who had waited nearly four years, the judgment was a step toward justice. Amit was only 21 when he was killed, and he earned his living by selling snacks to support himself and his family. His sudden and violent death had left his parents devastated.

The court’s order of life imprisonment shows the seriousness of the crime and the need to protect ordinary citizens from such acts of violence. The judgment also highlights how important scientific evidence like DNA reports can be in modern criminal trials. Even when eyewitnesses are limited or challenged, strong forensic evidence can secure convictions and bring closure to victims’ families.

At the same time, the case serves as a reminder of how small disputes, if not resolved peacefully, can spiral into violence with tragic consequences. A disagreement over a damaged scooter and a demand for a few hundred rupees ultimately cost a young man his life and sent five youths to prison for life.

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Conclusion

The Chandigarh court’s decision to sentence Bharat, Gurdev, Anil, Pardeep, and Rahul to life imprisonment marks the end of a long legal battle. It shows that the justice system, though sometimes delayed, can hold criminals accountable.

Amit’s case reflects the struggles faced by many poor families, where even minor disputes can lead to dangerous situations. It also highlights the importance of quick police action, strong prosecution, and the role of scientific evidence in delivering justice.

The life term awarded to the accused will not bring Amit back, but it does ensure that his killers face the consequences of their actions. For his grieving family, the judgment provides some relief and a message that the law stands on their side.