UP couple gets life term for setting property dealer on fire in 2016

MEERUT: A Meerut-based couple was sentenced to life in prison by a local court for killing a property dealer by setting him and two others on fire in 2016. A total of 10 witnesses testified during the trial and the dying declaration of one of the victims played a crucial role in securing conviction.
Additional district govt counsel (ADGC) Padam Singh said, "The incident took place on June 26, 2016, when Umesh Kumar, 35, and his wife Poonam Devi, 32, attacked property dealer Ravishankar Singhal (45), his son Himanshu (25), and nephew Yash (24) by pouring petrol and setting them ablaze. Singhal succumbed to his injuries, and the two others survived with severe burns."
Kumar had rented a house from Singhal and started "unauthorised construction" almost immediately. When Singhal, his son and nephew tried to stop him, a heated argument ensued which then turned ugly with Kumar and his wife all of a sudden pouring petrol on them and setting them ablaze. The victims were rushed to hospital with severe burns. Singhal died at a health facility in Delhi on July 6.
An FIR was registered and the couple was arrested on June 29, 2016. A chargesheet was subsequently submitted in the court on Sept 18, that year.
The ADGC said, "Taking the evidence into consideration, the court of district and sessions judge, Rajat Singh Jain, found the couple guilty and convicted both in the case. Rejecting their plea for lenient punishment, the court sentenced them to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 10,000 each on Friday."