Azamgarh Court Jails Seven for Life in 2020 Father–Son Murders Tied to Panchayat Poll Dispute

Overview

• The Azamgarh district court, which delivered its verdict Wednesday, imposed life terms and fines of ₹1,02,500 on each convict.
• Judge Jaiprakash Pandey found Pradeep Yadav alias Dilip, Surendra Yadav, Ranjit Yadav, Kamli Devi, Lalbahadur Yadav, Ajay Yadav and Umesh Yadav guilty.
• Police said the victims, Heeralal (known as Mithai) and his son Tej Kumar Yadav, were shot dead on August 13, 2020 after they were lured aside during a dispute over the village head election.
• The case began with a complaint by Santri Devi and was registered under IPC sections for rioting, murder and criminal conspiracy, and the prosecution presented 10 witness testimonies and forensic evidence at trial.
• Investigators first charged eight people, but one accused, Phenkhu Yadav, died during the proceedings, and the family welcomed the convictions as police said the ruling would deter election-linked violence.