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Court calls killing “extremely heinous”, as judgment cites Manusmriti to underlining the role of the punishment in preserving social order.

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A court in Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday sentenced a 25-year-old man to death and handed life imprisonment to nine others for their role in the killing of a 22-year-old man during a Durga idol immersion procession that triggered communal clashes last year, The Indian Express reported.

The victim, Ram Gopal Mishra, was killed and several others were injured in violence that erupted in Maharajganj village after an altercation between members of two communities, according to the report.

The death sentence was awarded to Sarfaraz, also known as Rinku, while nine others, including his father Abdul Hameed and two brothers, Talib alias Sabloo and Faheem, were sentenced to life imprisonment, defence counsel Mukhtar Alam said.

Earlier this week, the trial court convicted 10 people on charges including rioting, murder and attempted murder, while acquitting three others for lack of evidence. All the convicted men come from Muslim community, the report said.

After hearing arguments on sentencing, the court imposed the penalties on Thursday, said P.K. Singh, Additional District Government Counsel in Bahraich.

The weapon used in the crime was recovered from Sarfaraz’s possession, Singh added.

In a 142-page order, the court described the crime as “extremely heinous” and said the brutality of the killing had shaken society and disrupted social order, according to the report.

The judgment cited a shlok from the ancient Hindu legal text Manusmriti, underscoring the role of punishment in maintaining social order and deterring wrongdoing.

The court examined 12 prosecution witnesses and five defence witnesses during the trial, Singh said.

Defence counsel Alam said an appeal would be filed against the judgment. He added that most of the accused had been out on bail during the trial.

Six other men — Mohammad Zeeshan alias Raja, Saif Ali, Javed, Shoaib Khan, Nankau and Maroof Ali — were also sentenced to life imprisonment. Three accused — Mohammad Afzal alias Kallu, Shakeel Ahmad alias Bablu and Khursheed — were acquitted, receiving the benefit of the doubt.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on Oct. 13, 2024, when a Durga idol immersion procession passed through Maharajganj village in Mahsi tehsil. An argument broke out after residents asked that music be turned off near their homes and a mosque, escalating into gunfire and stone-pelting.

Ram Gopal was shot and later died of his injuries. The violence spread, leading to arson and property damage, and continued the following day with protests demanding strict punishment.

Police used force to restore order, and authorities imposed prohibitory orders, suspended internet services and set up barricades in the area, The Indian Express reported.