Supreme Court Sentences Former RJD MP Prabhunath Singh to Life in 1995 Double Murder Case
In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court sentenced former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Member of Parliament (MP), Prabhunath Singh, to life imprisonment for his involvement in a 1995 double murder case. The apex court also mandated compensation of Rs. 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs. 5 lakhs each for the injured. This compensation is to be provided jointly by the Bihar Government and the convict. Additionally, Singh received a seven-year imprisonment sentence for the offence of attempted murder under Section 307 IPC.
The case dates back to March 1995 when Singh, then contesting elections as a Bihar People’s Party (BPP) candidate, was accused of murdering two individuals near a polling booth in Chhapra, Bihar. The victims allegedly did not vote according to Singh’s preferences. The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice Abhay S. Oka, and Justice Vikram Nath, presided over the sentencing hearing. During the proceedings, Justice Kaul remarked on the gravity of the situation, stating,
“life or death sentence, there are only two options.”
Senior Advocate R Basant, representing the respondent, referenced the Bachhan Singh case, emphasizing that a graver sentence is chosen only when the lesser option is unquestionably foreclosed. In response, Justice Oka inquired,
“Do you seriously think we are considering the death penalty?”
Senior Advocate AM Singhvi argued that Singh’s two prior acquittals enhanced the presumption of his innocence and highlighted that a review on the matter is still pending. However, the court clarified that the review would be decided later in chambers.
The court’s judgment on August 18th had initially directed Singh’s physical presence on September 1, 2023. However, upon Singh’s request, the order was modified to allow him to appear virtually. The Supreme Court’s judgment was particularly critical of the trial and investigation, describing them as “shabby” and “tainted.” The court’s observations underscored the
“highhandedness of the accused-Respondent no.2, who was a powerful person, being a sitting M.P. of the Ruling Party.”
Singh’s acquittal in 2008 by a Patna court, citing a lack of evidence, was later upheld by the Patna High Court in 2012. The acquittal was subsequently challenged in the Supreme Court by the brother of one of the victims. The apex court, in its judgment, highlighted several lapses in the trial and termed the case as
“an exceptionally painful episode of our Criminal Justice System.”
