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Synopsis

A Delhi court on Monday ordered framing of charges against former Bihar MLA Raju Singh, his wife, and two others in a case of celebratory firing during a New Year's Eve party at a farmhouse in which a woman died.

Special Judge Vikas Dhull of Rouse Avenue Court said, "The act of accused Raju Singh in firing from his licensed pistol at the New Year's party shows that he had the knowledge that firing in a crowded party may cause the death of some person. Therefore, accused Raju Singh is prima facie liable to be charged under Section 304 (Part II) of the IPC and under Section 30 of the Arms Act”.

The court also ordered the framing of charges for the destruction of evidence against Raju Singh's wife, Renu Singh, and his associates, Ramendra Singh and Rana Rajesh Singh.

"The act of accused Raju Singh in firing from his licensed pistol at the New Year party shows that he had the knowledge that firing in a crowded party may cause the death of some people. Therefore, accused Raju Singh is prima facie liable to be charged under Section 304 (Part II) of the IPC and under Section 30 of the Arms Act," the court said.

Against Singh’s wife Renu, the court noted that there was prima facie material on record to frame charge for offence under Section 201 of the IPC and for the offence under Sections 201 (destruction of evidence) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC against his associates Ramendra Singh and Rana Rajesh Singh.

The court ordered, "..here is prima facie material on record to frame charge against accused Raju Singh for the offence under Section 304 (Part II) IPC and under Section 30 of the Arms Act, against accused namely Ramendra Singh and Rana Rajesh Singh for the offence under Section 201/34 IPC and against accused Renu Singh for the offence under Section 201 IPC".

Earlier, the court had asked the concerned official to explain why the notice issued to three Delhi police officers was not served. The court had issued fresh summons to Inspectors Shailendra Singh, C. L. Meena, and Sub-Inspector Manjeet Kumar and directed them to appear before the court on October 7.

“Issue fresh summons to ATO/Inspector Shailendra Singh, IO/Inspector C.L. Meena, & Sub-Inspector Manjeet Kumar to be served through SHO P.S. Fateh Pur Beri on 7.10.2023 at 10.30 a.m. for assisting the Ld. Addl. PP for the State”, the judge said in its order dated September 25.

The case pertains to a death caused by a celebratory firing at a farmhouse at New Year Eve’s party on December 31, 2018. Former Janta Dal United (JDU) MLA Raju Kumar Singh is one of the accused in the case.

During New Year Eve’s party in 2018, a woman named Archana Gupta was injured due to a gunshot, and later she died in the hospital on January 3, 2019.

The matter is currently at the stage of arguments on charge.

Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act. After the victim succumbed to the bullet injuries, it later added Section 302 (Murder) of the IPC, which is punishable with a maximum term of death sentence.

Case Title: State v. Raju Kumar Singh and Ors.