Former BSP MLA sentenced to life imprisonment in 1994 Jalaun double murder case

Former BSP MLA Chhote Singh Chauhan surrendered in MP-MLA Court on Thursday after being convicted in a 1994 double murder case. After the hearing, Judge Bharendu Singh sentenced him to life imprisonment. He was taken into custody immediately after the sentencing and is being transferred to jail.

The court premises witnessed a heavy deployment of police personnel due to the large presence of Chauhan’s supporters outside. Authorities ensured law and order amid heightened tensions.

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The case dates back to May 30, 1994, when two brothers, Rajkumar alias Raja Bhaiya and Jagdish Sharan, were shot dead in Binoura Baidh village, located in Churkhi police station limits. The incident stemmed from political rivalry and disputes over local dominance during the village pradhan (head) elections.

According to the FIR lodged by their brother Ramkumar, the victims were sitting in a veranda with family members and neighbours when several armed assailants entered the premises and opened fire. Rajkumar and Jagdish died on the spot, while another person, Virendra Singh, sustained injuries. The attackers were identified as Rudrapal Singh alias Lalle Gurjar, Raja Singh, Santawan Singh Gurjar, Karan Singh alias Kalle, and two unidentified individuals.

Subsequent police investigations led to the inclusion of Chhote Singh Chauhan and others, Akhilesh Krishna Murari, Baccha Singh, and Chhunna Singh, as accused in the case.

The trial began on February 18, 1995, in the District and Sessions Court. Chauhan, who later became an MLA from Kalpi in 2007 on a BSP ticket, was granted bail by the High Court. Following this, the Uttar Pradesh government withdrew the case, and the trial was closed on May 19, 2005, by the Additional Sessions FTC.

However, the complainant approached the Supreme Court, which on April 24, 2024, quashed the state government’s withdrawal and directed the MP-MLA Court to expedite the trial.

On Monday, Chauhan was found guilty, and his sentencing was scheduled for September 11. Since the conviction, he had been absconding until his surrender on Thursday.

Ahead of his surrender, Chhote Singh Chauhan issued a statement on social media, claiming he was a victim of a political conspiracy. “I have full faith in the Indian judiciary. I was not involved in the incident in any way,” he wrote. He alleged that some powerful individuals were disturbed by his continued presence and popularity in the region.

Chauhan vowed to continue his fight for justice and asserted that his supporters stand firmly with him. “There will be a new dawn after this dark night of struggle,” he said.