Former Member of Parliament (MP) Dhananjay Singh and his associate Santosh Vikram have been sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in a high-profile kidnapping and extortion case on March 6.
The duo was found guilty of abducting and threatening Abhinav Singhal, the project manager of the Namami Gange initiative, in an effort to extort money from him.
Charges and Conviction on MP
The charges against Singh and Vikram stemmed from a complaint filed by Abhinav Singhal on May 10, 2020, at the Line Bazar police station in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Singhal accused the two men of kidnapping, extortion, criminal conspiracy, intentional insult, and criminal intimidation.
After a thorough investigation and trial, the MP/MLA court in Jaunpur found Dhananjay Singh and Santosh Vikram guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
On March 6, 2024, Additional Sessions Judge Sharad Kumar Tripathi handed down the sentence, sentencing both men to seven years of rigorous imprisonment under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The Charges in Detail
The specific charges against Singh and Vikram included:
- Section 364 (Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder): Singh and Vikram were found guilty of kidnapping Abhinav Singhal, the project manager of the Namami Gange initiative.
- Section 386 (Extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt): The duo was convicted of extorting money from Singhal by threatening him with dire consequences.
- Section 120B (Criminal conspiracy): They were found guilty of conspiring together to commit the offenses of kidnapping and extortion.
- Section 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace): Singh and Vikram were charged with intentionally insulting and provoking Singhal during the incident.
- Section 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation): They were convicted of criminally intimidating Singhal with threats of harm.
In addition to the prison sentences, both men were also charged with a fine of Rs. 75,000 each.
The Evidence and Investigation
The case against Dhananjay Singh and Santosh Vikram was built on a strong foundation of evidence, including CCTV footage, call detail records, WhatsApp messages, and witness statements.
These crucial pieces of evidence helped establish the sequence of events and the involvement of the accused in the criminal acts.
Abhinav Singhal’s testimony played a pivotal role in the case.
Singhal described how he was kidnapped and taken to Dhananjay Singh’s residence, where he was abused and pressured to supply low-quality material for the Namami Gange project.
When Singhal refused, Singh allegedly threatened him and demanded extortion money.
Witness statements further corroborated the allegations against Singh and Vikram, providing crucial information about the kidnapping, threats, and extortion demands.
Political Implications and Background
The conviction of Dhananjay Singh has significant political implications. Singh, who previously served as an MP in the 15th Lok Sabha and was associated with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), had plans to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Jaunpur.
However, due to this conviction, he is now ineligible to run for office under the Representation of the People Act.
Singh, known as the “Purvanchal Bahubali” (a powerful figure from the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh), was expelled from the BSP by party president Mayawati in 2011 for anti-party activities.
Despite his legal troubles, he had expressed interest in contesting the elections from Jaunpur, where he faced competition from other candidates.
Reaction and Impact
The sentencing of Dhananjay Singh and Santosh Vikram has been met with a mix of reactions. Hundreds of Singh’s supporters gathered in the court premises as soon as the sentence was pronounced, reflecting the former MP’s influence in the region.
However, many have also welcomed the verdict as a testament to the rule of law and the consequences of criminal actions, even for those in positions of power.
Moving Forward
As Dhananjay Singh and Santosh Vikram begin serving their sentences, it remains to be seen how this will impact the political landscape in Jaunpur and the broader region.
The case also highlights the importance of a fair and impartial judicial system in upholding the principles of justice and equality before the law.
While the case has far-reaching political implications, it also serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, regardless of their position or influence.
The sentencing underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of public institutions and holding those in power accountable for their actions.
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