Verdict hailed as a major victory for Jamiat Ulama Hind’s legal cell.
Staff Reporter
In an old CRPF Rampur Case, the death sentences given to five accused by the lower court have been overturned today by a two-judge bench of the Allahabad High Court. The court has also modified the life imprisonment sentence of another accused.
The High Court has annulled the death and life sentences that were handed down by the Sessions Court under the UAPA. However, it has upheld a ten-year sentence under the charge of illegal possession of weapons. Since the accused have already spent more than ten years in jail, there is hope for their release soon.
Nearly eight months ago, after hearing arguments from both sides, the court had reserved its judgment, which was announced today. The accused were provided with legal assistance by Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra (Arshad Madani) Legal Aid Committee.
Expressing satisfaction over the Allahabad High Court’s decision, Maulana Arshad Madani, President Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, said that the lower court had sentenced four people to death and one to life imprisonment. However, in its verdict, the High Court has clearly stated that no case of terrorism was made out against them. Therefore, the High Court has rejected the lower court’s decisions but has sentenced them to ten years’ imprisonment for possessing illegal weapons.
Maulana Madani said that today is a momentous day for the families of those who have been acquitted of terrorism charges, as they had to wait eighteen long years for this day. He said that the anguish and pain they must have endured during those eighteen years is beyond imagination.
He further stated that this is yet another achievement of the Legal Cell of Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra, as their persistent legal struggle has resulted in the release of five individuals—four of whom had been sentenced to death and one to life imprisonment. “We express our gratitude to our lawyers,” he added, “for presenting such well-reasoned arguments in court that the false allegations of terrorism were completely exposed.”
Maulana Madani said that although the accused have been given a ten-year sentence under the Arms Act, since they have already spent eighteen years in prison, all of them will now be released. However, after consulting with senior lawyers, this ten-year sentence will also be challenged in the Supreme Court. “We are confident,” he said, “that just as in previous cases, we will receive justice from the Supreme Court, and the charge of possessing illegal weapons will also be dismissed, Insha’Allah.”