Punjab CM seeks support of UK's legal fraternity to procure rare video of Bhagat Singh
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Chandigarh (PTI): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has sought the support of the United Kingdom's legal fraternity to assist the state government in procuring a rare piece of video footage of Bhagat Singh.
Interacting with a delegation of the Bar Council of England and Wales at his residence, Mann said that no video record of the legendary freedom fighter is available in India.
However, he noted that it has been learnt that Scotland Yard may possess rare footage of Bhagat Singh, particularly from the time of his arrest and trial, according to a statement.
Mann emphasised that such footage holds immense significance for all Indians, especially Punjabis, who deeply revere the iconic freedom fighter.
The chief minister said the state government is already making earnest efforts to acquire this footage so that it can serve as an inspiration for future generations.
He urged the Bar Council of England and Wales to support the state government in "this noble endeavour and ensuring that the glorious legacy of the martyr continues to inspire the youth."
Mann affirmed that the state government will leave no stone unturned in pursuing this matter of "great national importance."
Dwelling on another agenda, the chief minister also sought strong support and cooperation from the Bar Council to attract investments in Punjab from British investors.
He highlighted that the state offers immense potential in sectors such as information technology, food processing, and automobiles, which can yield substantial benefits for investors. Mann invited British investors to participate in the "Invest Punjab Summit" scheduled to be held in March next year.
Meanwhile, Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales Barbara Mills KC, Adviser to the Chair of the Bar Piran Dhillon-Starkings, Consultant Melisha Charles, Barrister at 4PB Baljinder Bath, and others assured their full support and cooperation to the CM.
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Thane court sentences man to life imprisonment for bludgeoning wife to death
Thane (PTI): A court in Maharashtra's Thane district sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his wife, whom he attacked 22 times with a hammer in front of his children, based on the testimony of his 13-year-old daughter.
Principal district and sessions judge S B Agrawal found the accused, Vijay Mishra alias Samir Shaikh, guilty under sections 302 (murder) and 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The court sentenced him to life imprisonment and a three-year term to be served concurrently. It also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh for the murder charge and an additional Rs 10,000 for injuring his minor daughter and mother-in-law, who had tried to intervene during the fatal attack.
Additional public prosecutor Rashmi Kshirsagar informed that 11 prosecution witnesses, including the accused's daughter, were examined during the trial.
According to the prosecution, the victim, Zarin Israr Ansari, had been living with her mother, along with her daughter and a six-year-old son, for two years following prolonged domestic violence and disputes.
The accused, who had converted to Islam to marry Zarin 14 years prior, harboured deep resentment over her living separately and suspected her character.
On the afternoon of September 28, 2023, the accused stormed into his mother-in-law's residence in Mumbra with a hammer concealed in a bag, cornered his wife on the mezzanine floor, dragged her down, locked the main door, and repeatedly bludgeoned her.
The court defended the testimony of the victim's 13-year-old daughter, who was an eyewitness and had sustained injuries herself, noting that minor inconsistencies do not degrade the core truth of an innocent child's account:
"...they are not of any significant consequence since it is not expected from such a witness of 10 years of age to have a total photographic memory to be reproduced before the court. But as far as the incident is concerned, evidence of this witness is totally free from any reasonable doubt."
The prosecution had also stated that the accused had locked his family inside and threatened a neighbour by brandishing a "bomb-like thing" and declaring he would blow up the building if anyone intervened.
The victim's brother eventually broke down the latched door, disarmed the accused, and pinned him down until the police arrived.
The post-mortem report revealed that the victim had suffered 22 brutal injuries and had died due to severe head wounds.
