Gurugram court sentences two men to life for murder in 2016

A sessions court in Gurugram pronounced life term sentences for 41-year-old Surjeet Kataria alias Ballu, and his aide Devender (26) for murdering one Bablu and injuring his brother over a property dispute.

A sessions court in Gurugram on Tuesday sentenced two men to life imprisonment for murdering a resident of Dhanwapur in Sector 9 on May 7, 2016.

Surjeet Kataria has been booked in 28 cases, including murder, attempt to murder and extortion bids. (AFP/Picture for representation)

Holding them guilty of murdering Bablu and injuring his brother over a property dispute, additional district and sessions judge Rajesh Duggal pronounced life term sentences for 41-year-old Surjeet Kataria alias Ballu, and his aide Devender (26) while acquitting Kataria’s stepson Gaurav (25). The court also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 for the murder.

Kataria has been booked in 28 cases, including murder, attempt to murder and extortion bids. He was awarded a life sentence by the same court in another murder case in May.

According to public prosecutor Jagbir Sehrawat, it was a straightforward murder case. A handwritten note left by the criminal turned out to be crucial for pronouncing the quantum of punishment.

On May 7, 2016, the police control room had received information about an unidentified body on Dwarka Expressway. There were multiple bullets wounds and the victim was later identified as Bablu.

The police had found a handwritten note at the crime spot, purportedly written by Kataria, which led to his arrest. In the note, he had mentioned his criminal history and said that he is murdering him as a lesson.

On the basis of the handwriting, which matched Kataria’s, and investigation, the sessions court of Gurugram on Tuesday awarded the sentence. “The police had also found a handwritten note signed in the name of Kataria. The note had abusive words for deceased and declared him a traitor, who deserved to be killed. The police registered a case at Rajender Park police station,” said Sehrawat.

During the investigation, it was found that Kataria had met Bablu in Bhondsi jail a few years ago, but their friendship turned into a rivalry, with each looking for the right opportunity to kill the other, the police said.

Kataria was convicted for a murder in Haryana’s Narnaul and was sentenced to life term. He is also accused of murdering cloth merchant Sanjeev Jindal in 2014.