Muzaffarnagar. A Special Court under the SC/ST Act in Muzaffarnagar delivered a life‑imprisonment verdict against a local woman and her husband for the murder of 22‑year‑old Ankit in Jasola village, Khatoli area. Both convicts were also ordered to pay a fine of ₹50,000 each, and they appeared via video‑conference from the district jail.

Background of the Crime

The tragedy unfolded on 7 January 2024 when Ankit visited the home of Meenakshi, accompanied by another villager. According to police, Ankit and Meenakshi were romantically involved. When Ankit’s father, Ranveer Singh, and his brother, Lavkush, arrived at the house and found the door locked, they alerted the authorities.

Police Intervention and Findings

Law enforcement forced entry and discovered Ankit unconscious, bearing visible injuries on his forehead, hands and legs. The subsequent autopsy revealed eighteen distinct bruises, confirming a violent assault with sticks that ultimately caused his death.

Evidence Collected

  • Damaged mobile phone identified by the victim’s father.
  • Blood‑stained quilt, three hair strands, and two shirt buttons recovered from Meenakshi’s residence.
  • Two scarves, a cotton cord, and four wooden sticks allegedly used in the assault.

Investigators also seized the victim’s broken phone and other forensic items, linking them directly to the scene.

Meenakshi and her husband, Sonu, were apprehended on 10 January 2024. The case proceeded to trial after the police filed a chargesheet. During the hearing, the prosecution presented testimony from seven witnesses, including Ankit’s father and brother.

Assistant District Government Counsel Ashish Kumar Tyagi emphasized the severity of the injuries, stating that the post‑mortem report corroborated the claim of a brutal beating.

Motivation as Presented by the Prosecution

The prosecution argued that Sonu, a truck driver who spent long periods away from home, had asked Ankit for help treating his ailing dog. During this interaction, Ankit and Meenakshi began communicating, which allegedly sparked fear in Meenakshi that her husband would abandon her if he discovered the affair. This fear, the prosecution claimed, was the catalyst for the murder.

Verdict and Sentencing

After nearly 997 days of investigation and trial, the Special Court convicted both defendants on a Friday and pronounced the life‑imprisonment sentence on the following Wednesday. The judgment underscores the court’s stance on gender‑based violence and the sanctity of life.