In a landmark verdict, a CBI special court in Ranchi has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of 17-year-old Rupesh Pandey during a Saraswati idol immersion procession in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. The convicts—Mohammad Aslam Ansari alias Pappu Miyan, Mohammad Gufran, and Mohammad Kaif—were handed the maximum punishment along with a fine of Rs 10,000 each.
The court wasted no time post-verdict, dispatching the trio straight to judicial custody. This decision comes just days after the same court declared them guilty on February 2, following intense arguments from both prosecution and defense. Two other accused, Mohammad Irfan and Istkhar Miyan, walked free due to lack of evidence.
The shocking incident unfolded on February 6, 2022, in the Barhi police station area of Hazaribagh district. Rupesh, accompanied by his uncle, had joined the vibrant procession celebrating Saraswati Puja. Tragedy struck near the puja site when a mob, allegedly led by Aslam Ansari, surrounded the teenager and beat him to death in a frenzy of violence.
The killing ignited statewide outrage, sparking tensions across multiple districts in Jharkhand. Protests erupted, highlighting deep communal fault lines. Initially, Barhi police named 27 suspects in the FIR, but only filed chargesheets against five after preliminary probes.
Rupesh’s mother, refusing to let justice slip away, approached the Jharkhand High Court. Responding to her plea, the court transferred the investigation to the CBI. The federal agency took over the FIR, registering it as Case No. 1/2024, and presented a airtight case in the special sessions trial court. Special public prosecutor Priyanshu Singh led the prosecution with meticulous evidence presentation.
This conviction serves as a stern warning against mob violence during religious processions. It underscores the CBI’s role in delivering justice where local efforts falter, bringing some solace to Rupesh’s grieving family after nearly two years of relentless pursuit. Community leaders hope this verdict deters future flare-ups, promoting harmony in Jharkhand’s diverse landscape.