Life Sentences in Gudri Bazaar Triple Murder Case After 16 Years

A court sentenced 10 people to life imprisonment in the Gudri Bazaar triple murder case after a 16-year trial. The Additional District Judge fined the convicts Rs 1.25 lakh. The 2008 case involved three youths found dead near the Hindon river, triggering massive protests in Uttar Pradesh.

In a significant development after a prolonged 16-year trial, a court on Monday handed life sentences to 10 individuals in the notorious Gudri Bazaar triple murder case. The Additional District Judge (Special Court Anti-Corruption-2) Pawan Kumar Shukla imposed a collective fine of Rs 1.25 lakh on the convicts. The courtroom was under heavy police and PAC security during the proceedings.

Additional District Government Counsel (Criminal) Mukesh Mittal stated that the court found Ijlal Qureshi, Afzal, Maharaj, Kallu alias Kalua, Ijhar, Munnu Driver alias Devendra Ahuja, Wasim, Rizwan, Badruddin, and Sheeba Sirohi guilty of murder. The gruesome crime dates back to May 23, 2008, when the bodies of Sunil Dhaka, Puneet Giri, and Sudhir Ujjwal were discovered near the Hindon river.

Investigations revealed the trio was killed on May 22, 2008, by Ijlal and his accomplices in Gudri Bazaar. The case drew considerable public outrage, leading to mass student protests and a complete shutdown of Meerut. Police charged 14 people, including Sheeba, held responsible for inciting the murder.

(With inputs from agencies.)