Lucknow: An Ambedkar Nagar court on Tuesday awarded life imprisonment to three accused in a 2016 murder, holding them guilty of murder, criminal conspiracy, and destruction of evidence after finding the charges proved beyond reasonable doubt. The judgment was delivered by additional sessions judge Ram Vilas Singh. Those sentenced include Mulayam Yadav, Ajay Kumar Yadav, and former block head Ajay Pratap Singh alias Ajay Sipahi. The court sentenced each of them to life imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 10,000 each. On March 23, 2016, the trio had shot and killed one Mansharam Yadav over an old poll-related rivalry. Investigations revealed that the murder stemmed from political enmity linked to the 2015 gram pradhan elections. Prime accused Mulayam Yadav, who contested the polls, allegedly held Mansharam responsible for his defeat, as the latter supported a rival candidate. The charge sheet was filed against Mulayam Yadav, Ajay Kumar Yadav, Ajay Pratap Singh alias Ajay Sipahi, and Girendra Pandey. During the trial, the prosecution examined 11 witnesses. After evaluating the evidence and testimonies, the court found three of the accused guilty of orchestrating and executing the murder. The body was later dumped near a canal. Police also recovered the weapon used in the crime, along with an empty cartridge, during the investigation.
