The prosecution on Wednesday sought death penalty for a 33-year-old man who has been convicted for kidnapping and killing his friend’s 13-year-old cousin in 2013. The convict had demanded ransom after kidnapping Aditya Ranka, son of a diamond merchant, to repay his IPL betting debts. The court will announce the quantum of sentence on Thursday.
The principal sessions judge had on Monday acquitted Aditya’s cousin Himanshu Ranka but convicted his friend Vijesh Sanghvi. The court accepted the prosecution’s evidence, which included CCTV footage of various locations, where Aditya was seen with Sanghavi after he went missing.
Special public prosecutor Kalpana Chavan on Wednesday demanded capital punishment for Sanghvi. He called the murder a gruesome act as an innocent boy was killed brutally for no fault of his.
READ: Mumbai man who kidnapped, killed diamond merchant’s son after losing money on IPL bet, convicted
On May 13, 2013, Sanghvi kidnapped Aditya and then demanded Rs30 lakh from his father as ransom. During investigation, the burnt body of Aditya was recovered near Amba river.
According to the prosecution, the police found the conduct of Himanshu — Ranka’s cousin — suspicious and he was questioned. Police said Himanshu and Sanghvi had lost a huge amount in an IPL bet and they had to repay it. Himanshu told Sanghvi that Aditya’s father had made huge profits, which prompted the two to devise a plan.
{{/usCountry}}According to the prosecution, the police found the conduct of Himanshu — Ranka’s cousin — suspicious and he was questioned. Police said Himanshu and Sanghvi had lost a huge amount in an IPL bet and they had to repay it. Himanshu told Sanghvi that Aditya’s father had made huge profits, which prompted the two to devise a plan.
{{/usCountry}}The police zeroed in on the two after scanning CCTV footages. Himanshu was allegedly keeping Sanghvi posted about the Rankas’ moves, who had registered a case of kidnapping. Police suspect the boy was murdered after they panicked on hearing that the police were on their trail.
Chavan claimed that Sanghvi is well educated and knows the consequences of his act. She claimed that he is a family friend and someone whom the boy trusted. She pressed for a death penalty saying the shock of losing his son, killed the diamond merchant 10 months after the murder. The prosecution also said in case the court is not inclined to award capital punishment, Sanghvi must be sentenced to suffer imprisonment till death.
The defense lawyer, however, pleaded for leniency saying that all evidence is circumstantial and there is no direct evidence. They also said he is young and has a family to look after.
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