In an interfaith relationship, a Delhi photographer was murdered by his Muslim girlfriend’s family. Three individuals have been sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with the incident.
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NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has handed down life sentences to three muslim individuals for the 2018 murder of Ankit Saxena, a 23-year-old photographer. The tragic incident, rooted in interfaith relationship tensions, has once again highlighted the societal challenges faced by couples from different religious backgrounds.
The sentencing took place at Delhi’s Tis Hazari court, where the woman’s father, mother, and maternal uncle were found guilty of the heinous act. The convicts, identified as Mohammad Salim, Akbar Ali, and Shahnaz Begum, were implicated in the murder that the court attributed to the victim’s interfaith relationship with their daughter, Shehzadi, who was 20 years old at the time.
In delivering the verdict, the court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on each of the three offenders. While considering factors such as their age and criminal records, the court refrained from imposing the death penalty. Instead, it opted for life imprisonment, demonstrating the legal system’s stance against such brutal acts of violence. The collected fines are to be handed over to Ankit Saxena’s grieving family, offering a semblance of financial restitution for their irreplaceable loss.
PREVIOUS REPORT: Ankit Saxena Murder Case | Delhi Court Reserves Order on Sentence of Convicts
The court’s decision was based on the evidence that clearly established the murder as a direct consequence of Ankit’s relationship with Shehzadi, who belonged to a different religious community. The prosecution successfully proved that the family’s opposition to the interfaith union led to the brutal killing.
The details of the crime are harrowing. Ankit Saxena was confronted by his girlfriend’s family, leading to a heated argument. The confrontation turned deadly when her mother, father, brother, and maternal uncle attacked him, ultimately stabbing him and slitting his neck. This act of violence took place in February 2018, in the Raghubir Nagar area of West Delhi, leaving the city in shock and mourning.
The trial featured crucial testimony from one of Ankit’s friends, which played a significant role in achieving the conviction. The murder had sent shockwaves through the community, prompting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to assure the public that the government would work diligently to ensure that Ankit Saxena’s family received justice and that the perpetrators faced the maximum punishment allowed by law.
This case has once again brought to the forefront the grim realities of honor killings in India, where individuals are targeted for forming relationships outside their caste or religion. The life sentences handed down by the Tis Hazari court serve as a stern reminder of the legal consequences of such actions and a call for societal change.
As the city reflects on this tragic event, the hope is that this judgment will contribute to a broader understanding and acceptance of interfaith relationships, paving the way for a more inclusive and tolerant society. The legal system’s firm response to Ankit Saxena’s murder is a step towards justice for the victim and his family and a warning against the perpetuation of honor-based violence in the country.
PREVIOUS REPORT: Ankit Saxena Murder Case | Delhi Court Reserves Order on Sentence of Convicts
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