Servant jailed for life for killing 87-year-old man

Faith reposed by the master in the servant stands shattered, a court here said while awarding life terms in jail to a driver and his brother-in-law for killing his 87-year-old employer, who was a defence ministry official.

"Here, greed eclipsed faithfulness and wisdom, and as a result, the faith reposed by the master and the other family members in the servant stands shattered," said Additional Sessions Judge Narinder Kumar in his Tuesday order.

He awarded life term to Rajesh Chaudhary and his brother-in-law Mahesh Chaudhary after holding them guilty of murder with common intent, voluntarily causing hurt to commit robbery and criminal conspiracy.

The court said Rajesh Chaudhary was one of the servants of former defence ministry official Om Prakash Sharma.

According to the prosecution, the convicts killed Sharma while committing robbery at his house at East Patel Nagar here, when he was alone in his residence May 2, 2011.

The court said a third accused, who was also a servant in the house, was also involved in the case.

The third offender is a minor and facing trial before the juvenile justice board.

A complaint was lodged by victim's daughter against Rajesh, who was working as his driver for 10 years, alleging that he hatched a conspiracy to rob Sharma with the help of his brother in-law and the other juvenile servant.

While convicting them, the court relied on circumstances, recovery of cash, stolen properties and weapon of offence seized from them.