A court in Bahraich has awarded death penalty to the prime accused and life imprisonment to nine others in a communal violence case linked to a Durga idol immersion procession. The judgment has drawn attention for citing a shlok from the Manusmriti to explain the philosophy of punishment and state duty.
The case relates to the killing of 22-year-old Ram Gopal Mishra in Maharajganj village of Bahraich district in October 2024. The incident occurred during a Durga idol immersion procession and led to two days of communal unrest in the area.
According to the prosecution, the court sentenced Sarfaraz alias Rinku, aged 25, to death. His father Abdul Hameed, two brothers, and six others received life imprisonment. The court acquitted three accused due to lack of evidence.
The court described the crime as extremely heinous. It quoted a shlok from the Manusmriti to stress the role of punishment in maintaining social order and Rajdharma. The court stated that fear of punishment ensures discipline and protects life and property, which remain core duties of governance.
Additional District Government Counsel P.K. Singh said the court observed that justice must address public anguish and strengthen trust in the judicial system. The judgment noted that the killing of an unarmed youth had shaken social harmony and demanded strictest response. Defence counsel Mukhtar Alam said the accused will file an appeal.