Surat Court Sentences 33-Year-Old Man to Life Imprisonment for 2023 Murder

A Surat District and Sessions Court has sentenced a 33-year-old man to rigorous life imprisonment for murdering a labourer in November 2023 over a personal grudge, ruling him guilty of murder, house trespass and rioting.

The convict, Mahadev alias Manohar Vishwakarma, was found guilty of killing Lalchan Rajbhar at the victim’s residence in the Gayatri Nagar area near Krishna Industries in Kapodra between 3 pm and 4.30 pm on November 10, 2023.

The court also imposed fines totalling ₹30,000 across multiple counts, with additional imprisonment provisions in case of default. It acquitted co-accused Sanjay alias Lalo Parmar, granting him the benefit of the doubt due to insufficient identification and a lack of direct evidence linking him to the crime.

Accused Allegedly Attacked Victim Over Harassment Claim

According to the prosecution, Vishwakarma confronted Rajbhar’s family, alleging that the victim had harassed his wife.

After issuing an initial threat earlier that afternoon, Vishwakarma allegedly returned with accomplices carrying a sharp knife and a wooden plank. During the ensuing confrontation, he inflicted stab wounds on Rajbhar’s thigh and head.

The injured man was rushed to SMIMER Hospital in an emergency 108 ambulance but was declared dead on arrival.

Medical and Forensic Evidence Supported Prosecution Case

During the trial, the prosecution examined 16 witnesses, including Rajbhar’s wife, who was the complainant, and forensic medical experts.

Medical evidence established that Rajbhar died of haemorrhagic shock caused by a deep stab wound that damaged a femoral blood vessel.

Forensic analysis also linked bloodstains matching the victim’s AB blood group to clothing recovered from the main accused, Vishwakarma.

Co-Accused Acquitted; Compensation Directed for Victim’s Family

While convicting Vishwakarma, the court acquitted Sanjay alias Lalo Parmar, citing insufficient identification and the absence of direct evidence placing him at the crime scene.

The court sentenced Vishwakarma to rigorous life imprisonment and imposed a cumulative fine of ₹30,000 under multiple counts. It also directed the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Surat, to provide adequate compensation to the deceased’s dependants in accordance with the applicable procedural guidelines.