Shimla, Jan 11,
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has granted bail to 33 individuals convicted in a 2015 mob violence case that resulted in the death of a man in Tooil village, Chaupal, Shimla district. Justice Sushil Kukreja, presiding over the matter, directed each of the accused to furnish a bail bond of ₹50,000 and adhere strictly to the conditions set by the court. Failure to comply with these conditions would result in the cancellation of their bail.
This decision comes after the convicts were sentenced to varying prison terms by the Additional District Court in Shimla on December 22, 2024. Judge Praveen Garg had imposed sentences of seven years under Section 452 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), five years under Section 325, and three years under Sections 148 and 440. Additionally, the court ordered each convict to pay ₹10,000 in compensation to the complainant, Virendra Devi, who sustained injuries during the violent incident.
The Case
Dates back to March 11, 2015, during a wedding in Tooil village. According to police reports, a group of individuals forcibly entered the home of a villager named Narveer. In an attempt to protect himself and his wife, Narveer brandished a firearm. Amid the ensuing chaos, the gun discharged, fatally wounding a man named Bantu.
The incident incited anger among the villagers, resulting in a mob attack. The group reportedly dragged Narveer to a nearby field and killed him. His body was discovered the following day.
Initially, 34 individuals were implicated in the case. However, one accused passed away during the trial, leaving 33 to face conviction. The Additional District Court emphasized that the sentences were essential to uphold justice and deter such acts of violence in the future.
With the High Court’s recent order, the 33 convicts have been granted bail, contingent upon compliance with the court-mandated conditions.
