2018 Hapur Lynching Case : UP Trial Court Finds 10 Persons Guilty, Sentences Them To Life

A Sessions Court in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday (March 12) found ten persons guilty in the 2018 Hapur lynching case relating to the murder of 45-year-old Qasim and assault of 62-year-old Samiudeen on a false rumour of cow slaughter.

The Court of Additional Sessions Judge Hapur convicted all 10 convicts under Sections 302/149, 307/149, 147, 148 and 153A of the Indian Penal Code. They have been sentenced to life imprisonment and fine of Rs. 58,000/- each.

Notably, the victims did not seek a death sentence for the convicts and said that they did not have any enmity against the accused and only wanted justice.

The complainant and victims were represented by Advocates Vrinda Grover, Soutik Banerjee, Devika Tulsiani, Haji Yusuf Qureshi (Late) and Mohd. Furquan Qureshi.

The crime occurred in June 2018. After pictures purportedly showing the the victim being dragged through the ground in the presence of police officers became viral, the Uttar Pradesh police posted an apology on Twitter saying "We are sorry for the Hapur incident" and that enquiry has been initiated against the policemen involved.

The surviving victim Samiudeen filed a petition in the Supreme Court in 2018 seeking proper investigation. In 2018, the Supreme Court directed the Inspector General of Police, Meerut Range, to supervise the enquiry following the guidelines issued in the Tehseen Poonawalla judgment relating to mob lynching and hate crimes.