Life term to 4 for murdering priest over property dispute

On July 26, 2016, Surjeet Kataria asked priest Vinod Kumar to meet him and complete the documentation work for a plot of land. When he and his brother reached, Kataria shot Kumar seven times on his head, chest, stomach, and leg. Kumar died on the spot

Gurugram

A 40-year-old priest Vinod Kumar has died on spot after being shot on July 26, 2016.

A sessions court in Gurugram Thursday sentenced four men to life imprisonment for murdering a priest and attempting to kill his brother over a property dispute in July 2016.

Holding them responsible for murdering 40-year-old priest Vinod Kumar and injuring his brother over a property dispute, additional district and sessions judge Rajesh Duggal pronounced life term for Surjeet Kataria, Gaurav, Sunil and Devender. The court also imposed a fine of ₹50,000 for the murder, ₹10,000 for attempt to murder and ₹1,000 each under the Arms Act

In 2016, Kumar had bought a 250-yard plot in Ashok Vihar extension from Kataria to construct a temple.

Although he had paid the entire sum — ₹35 lakh -- for the property, it couldn’t be registered on time since Kataria was jailed in a murder case. Even after coming out on parole, Kataria kept delaying the registry procedure.

On July 26, 2016, Kataria asked Kumar to meet him and complete the documentation work. When he and his brother reached, Kataria shot Kumar seven times on his head, chest, stomach, and leg. Kumar died on the spot.

His brother Daudyal sustained gunshot wounds and has been paralysed ever since. Based on a complaint filed by Kumar’s brother, an FIR was registered against the accused at Rajendra Park police station on July 27.

On August 10, 2016, Gurugram police arrested Kataria and his three accomplices in connection with the crime.