Life sentence confirmed for man killing friend filmy style

Bangalore, March 2: Convict pushed victim off a cliff on the pretext of taking pictures with him

The High Court on Thursday confirmed the life sentence of a person who had killed his friend by pushing him off a cliff on the pretext of taking his pictures.

In an incident believed to be inspired by Kannada film ‘Amruthavarshini,’ the accused, Junaid, had murdered Ashwak Ahmed on the pretext of taking pictures with him.

Junaid, a resident of BTM Layout, was working as a cleaner with lorry driver and childhood friend, Ahmed. The latter was residing in Gurguntepalya along with his wife Firdous. Junaid was a regular visitor to Ahmed’s house. According to Firdous’ statement, Junaid had taken a liking for her.

Ahmed sacked Junaid after the police arrested him in a theft case and told him not to visit his house. After a few days, when the couple planned to visit Dodda Dargah near Shivanasamudra on June 30, 1999, Junaid came to their house and insisted on accompanying them to the Dargah to offer prayers. He said he wanted to turn over a new leaf.

According to Firdous, despite her objections, Ahmed decided to take Junaid along. After prayers at the Dargah, Junaid - on the pretext of getting himself photographed with Ahmed (Firdous was told to take the pictures) pushed him off the cliff, snatched the camera from Firdous and escaped.

Following a complaint, the Kollegal police produced the accused before the court, who was then serving his term in the Bangalore central prisons for another offence.

The Mysore Sessions Court, on March 23, 2007, sentenced him to life imprisonment. However, the accused appealed against the sentence before the High Court, pleading not guilty. In his submission, Junaid said the trial court had committed a grave error in holding him guilty of the offence.

He said all the witnesses were relatives of the deceased and that their version suffered from several infirmities. He sought that the order of the Mysore Sessions Court be set aside. State Public Prosecutor Chandramouli, in his submission, said, “Detailed narration by the wife of the deceased is sufficient to sentence him, as the accused tried to take shelter under the alibi that he was in prison (at the time of the crime), but was not able to prove it.”

The division bench comprising Justice K Bhaktavatsala and Justice H S Kempanna dismissed the appeal and confirmed the sentence.