Supreme Court of India has imposed a life sentence upon Prabhunath Singh, a former Member of Parliament (MP) and prominent figure in the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). This verdict comes mere days after the highest court reversed the trial court's decision to absolve Singh of any guilt.

This case pertains to a gruesome incident from 1995 involving the cold-blooded murders of Daroga Rai and Rajendra Rai, coupled with an attempted homicide of a woman. These horrific acts unfolded on the day of the assembly elections in Chapra, located within Saran district, back in March 1995. The shocking revelation emerged that the victims were ruthlessly gunned down simply because they did not cast their votes in accordance with Prabhunath Singh's recommendations.

Heading the bench, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul delivered the life sentence to Prabhunath Singh, who had also previously served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). The court additionally mandated that both Singh and the Bihar state government provide financial compensation of ₹10 lakh to the families of the two deceased victims. Moreover, an injured victim from the case will receive ₹5 lakh as compensation.

The Supreme Court's decision to convict Singh is unprecedented, as it is exceedingly rare for the apex court to directly hand down a conviction to an individual. Typically, the Supreme Court either validates or rejects convictions determined by lower courts during the appellate process.

In a comprehensive 143-page judgment, the Supreme Court underscored that, in this "particularly distressing instance within our criminal justice system," Prabhunath Singh had made strenuous efforts to obliterate any incriminating evidence against himself. Furthermore, the court noted that Singh's actions had influenced both the prosecution apparatus and the presiding officer of the trial court.

The bedrock of the prosecution's case rested upon the First Information Report (FIR), a public document, and the final statement of the informant. The court emphasized the critical need to uncover evidence from individuals who could authenticate the veracity of the contested facts.

Justice Nath, articulating the operative segment of the judgment, declared, "We nullify the contested decree from the Patna high court and adjudge respondent no 2...Prabhunath Singh, under Section 302 (murder), concerning the murders of Daroga Rai and Rajendra Rai. We instruct the home secretary of Bihar and the director general of police of the state to take Prabhunath Singh into custody and present him before this court on the forthcoming hearing date to address the question of sentencing."

This landmark ruling by the Supreme Court serves as a stark reminder that justice, even when dispensed many years after a grievous crime, remains undeterred and unwavering.

Case Title: Harendra Rai V. State of Bihar (Criminal Appeal No. 1726/2015)

Click here to read/download order