New Delhi, 03 July (H.S.): The Rouse Avenue Court on Friday reserved its order on the quantum of sentence for Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Raju Singh, who was convicted in the case relating to the death of a woman during celebratory firing at a New Year's Eve party on December 31, 2018. Special Judge Vishal Gogne directed that the sentencing order will be pronounced on July 4.

During the hearing, the probation officer informed the court that a murder case is pending against Raju Singh in Bihar, in which he is currently out on bail.

Counsel for Raju Singh pleaded for a lenient sentence, arguing that he had never previously been convicted in any criminal case and had already spent nearly two months in jail in connection with the present matter. The defence also submitted that Singh has been elected as a legislator six times.

Earlier, the court had sought a probation report from the prison authorities to assist in determining an appropriate sentence. On June 6, the court convicted Raju Singh while acquitting his wife, Renu Singh, along with Rana Rajesh Singh and Ramendra Singh of all charges.

The court found Raju Singh guilty under Section 304 (Part II) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 30 of the Arms Act. It had framed charges against all the accused on November 23, 2023. While Raju Singh was charged under Section 304 (Part II) of the IPC and Section 30 of the Arms Act, his wife Renu Singh, Rana Rajesh Singh, and Ramendra Singh had been charged with destruction of evidence.

The case relates to an incident on the night of December 31, 2018, when Archana Gupta was fatally injured during celebratory firing at Rose Farm in Ambedkar Colony, Mandi village, where a New Year's Eve party was being held.

According to the complaint filed by Vikas Gupta, his wife hugged Raju Singh, following which Singh accompanied her to the DJ area to dance. The complainant alleged that he saw Raju Singh, his security guard, and several others firing their weapons into the air. About five minutes later, he noticed Singh firing into the air again, after which his wife suddenly collapsed. When he rushed to her, he found her unconscious with blood on her face. She was immediately taken to Fortis Hospital in an Innova vehicle with the help of other guests.

Delhi Police filed the charge sheet in the case on September 28, 2019, and the court took cognisance of it on October 30, 2023.

Raju Singh was first elected as the MLA from Sahebganj in Bihar in 2005 on a Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) ticket.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar