Delhi Court Sentences Gangster Vikas Gulia, Associate to Life Imprisonment
Delhi court spares notorious criminals from execution, opting for life terms.
A Delhi court has imposed life imprisonment on Haryana-based gangster Vikas Gulia and his associate Dhirpal, also known as Kana, under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The sentencing, delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Vandana Jain, rejected calls for the death penalty, citing that the offenses did not qualify as the "rarest of rare" cases warranting such extreme punishment.
In her December 13 order, Judge Jain emphasized that capital punishment is reserved for murders committed in an exceptionally inhumane or barbarous manner that incites widespread public outrage. After evaluating aggravating and mitigating factors, she determined the case fell short of this threshold, leading to rigorous life sentences for both convicts under Section 3 of MCOCA, along with fines of Rs 3 lakh each.
The public prosecutor had advocated for the death penalty, highlighting the accused's involvement in multiple unlawful activities even while on bail in other matters. It was argued that Gulia and Dhirpal demonstrated utter disregard for legal authority, continuing their criminal operations without remorse or fear of repercussions, thus meriting no judicial mercy.
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The court documented the convicts' extensive criminal histories, including charges of murder, attempted murder, extortion, robbery, house trespass, and criminal intimidation. Gulia faces allegations in at least 18 cases, while Dhirpal is linked to 10 serious offenses. Both had violated interim bail conditions by absconding, further eroding public trust in law enforcement.
Judge Jain underscored the pervasive terror instilled by the duo, which created widespread fear among the public, compelling victims to comply with illegal demands rather than seek justice. The enactment of MCOCA, she noted, addresses the grave societal threat posed by organized crime, encompassing activities like extortion, contract killings, and protection rackets that transcend regional boundaries. The convictions stem from a December 10 verdict related to a case at Najafgarh police station, with charges under Sections 3 and 4 of the Act.
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