Life Imprisonment for Accused in Farmer's 2019 Abduction and Murder Case

Strategic Insights -

Nearly six years after farmer Narendra Singh was abducted and murdered for allegedly obstructing an illicit relationship, an Amroha court has sentenced three accused to life imprisonment and another to five years in jail for concealing the body. The court also imposed a total fine of Rs.65,000 on the convicts. The incident occurred in Rajabpur police station limits in Meerut.

Key Takeaways:

  • Narendra Singh, a farmer from Shakarpur Samsapur village, was abducted and murdered on September 27, 2019, allegedly for obstructing an illicit relationship between his wife, Ruby Agrawal, and a constable, Yogesh.
  • The investigation led to the arrest of Ruby Agrawal, Yogesh, Virpal, and Vishesh, who were later found guilty of conspiracy, abduction, and murder.
  • The court awarded life imprisonment to Yogesh, Vishesh, and Ruby, along with a fine of Rs.20,000 each, for their involvement in the murder.
  • Virpal was sentenced to five years in prison and fined Rs.5,000 for concealing the body.
  • Yogesh was suspended from service after his arrest and later dismissed.
  • The case was investigated under the SC/ST Act, and a chargesheet was filed by then-CO Monica Yadav.

Statistics:

  • September 27, 2019: The day Narendra Singh went missing.
  • 6 years: The time it took for the court to deliver the verdict in the case.
  • Rs.65,000: The total fine imposed on the convicts.
  • Rs.20,000: The fine imposed on each of the three convicts sentenced to life imprisonment.
  • Rs.5,000: The fine imposed on Virpal for concealing the body.

Sources:

Meerut, Aug. 9 -- Nearly six years after farmer Narendra Singh was abducted and murdered for allegedly obstructing an illicit relationship, an Amroha court on Friday sentenced three accused-including a former Meerut policeman-to life imprisonment, and another accused to five years in jail for concealing the body. The court also imposed a total fine of Rs.65,000 on the convicts, who were out on bail. Following the verdict, all four were taken into custody and sent to prison. The incident occurred in Rajabpur police station limits.

The next day, his wife Balesh Devi found his mobile phone switched off and his father, Samarpal Singh, lodged a missing complaint. Balesh accused Ruby Agrawal, a resident of Kashiram Colony in Moradabad, of conspiring with associates to abduct, kill, and hide her husband's body. Police registered a case of abduction, murder, and destruction of evidence and collected call detail records (CDRs) of Narendra and Ruby. The investigation led to the arrest of Ruby Agrawal; then-constable Yogesh, posted at Bilari police station in Moradabad and a native of Nek village in Meerut's Jani area; Virpal of Amarpur Kashi in Bilari; and Vishesh. Acting on their disclosures, police recovered Narendra's body from a well behind Vishesh's house. Since Narendra belonged to a Scheduled Caste, the case was investigated by then-CO Monica Yadav under the SC/ST Act, and a chargesheet was filed. The trial was held in the court of the additional sessions Judge, Special SC/ST Act. Special public prosecutor Manoj Kumar Saxena said Narendra and Ruby were in a relationship, but Ruby was also involved with constable Yogesh. Narendra repeatedly came in the way of their affair. Ruby, Yogesh, and their associates allegedly conspired to abduct and kill him before dumping his body in a well. On the basis of evidence, the court awarded life imprisonment to Yogesh, Vishesh, and Ruby, along with a fine of Rs.20,000 each. Virpal, found guilty of concealing the body, was sentenced to five years in prison and fined Rs.5,000. Saxena added that Yogesh was suspended after his arrest and later dismissed from service. Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hindustan Times.