Former MLA gets life sentence in murder case

A local court today awarded life imprisonment to five persons including former MLA Ashok Vir Vikram Singh alias Bhaiya Raja for the murder of a 20-year-old fashion designing student in 2009.
Besides Bhaiya Raja, others who were sentenced to life imprisonment are -- Bhupendra Singh alias Halke, Ramkishan alias Chhotu Lodhi, Pankaj Shukla alias Martand Shukla and Abhimanyu Pathak alias Abbu.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 500 on each of them for the murder of Vasundhara Bundela. However, another accused, Rohini Shukla alias Rampi, was acquitted due to lack of evidence.
The bullet-ridden body of Vasundhara, who was Bhaiya Raja's sister's granddaughter, was found on December 10, 2009 in the limits of Misrod police station area here. Bhaiya Raja, a former MLA from Pawai in Chhatarpur, was arrested on December 20 that year.

Since their arrests, all the accused were in jail as their bail pleas were rejected.
Prosecution examined 56 witnesses in the case.

The court held that Bhaiya Raja hatched the conspiracy with Bhupendra and Pankaj at Ratangarhi in Chhatarpur district.
To dispose of her body, they used a Bolero jeep which was recovered by the police. Police also found Vasundhara's ear stud and cartridges used to murder her from the car, the court noted.
Tight security arrangement was made in the court premises in view of today's judgement and hundreds of Bhaiya Raja's supporters were present.