Firozabad/Shikohabad: In a major development in the widely discussed Aarav murder case, a district court has convicted the main accused, Viraj alias Jitendra Pathak, for the murder of a one-and-a-half-year-old child. After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence and examining the evidence, the court found the accused guilty. The matter has now been listed for hearing on the quantum of sentence on 10 July.
Court Holds Accused Guilty
The judgment was delivered by the court of District Judge Dr. Babbu Sarang. According to the prosecution, the evidence presented during the trial established the accused’s involvement beyond reasonable doubt. The sentencing phase is scheduled separately, and the punishment will be decided after hearing submissions from both sides.
One-Sided Obsession Led to the Crime, Says Prosecution
According to the prosecution, the incident took place on 30 May. The accused, a resident of Shekhupur in Badaun district, was allegedly obsessed with a woman and repeatedly pressured her to marry him. After his proposal was rejected, he allegedly planned an act of revenge.
Investigators stated that the accused lured the woman’s one-and-a-half-year-old son, Aarav, by offering him candy before taking him to a secluded location. The child was allegedly assaulted, resulting in fatal injuries.
CCTV Footage and Investigation Strengthened the Case
The investigation gained momentum after CCTV footage reportedly captured crucial movements related to the case. Police later arrested the accused following an encounter and completed the investigation before filing the charge sheet.
During the trial, the prosecution relied on CCTV footage, forensic evidence and witness testimonies to establish the sequence of events.
Trial Conducted on Priority
District Government Counsel (DGC) Rajeev Priyadarshi said the prosecution pursued the case on priority to ensure speedy justice for the victim’s family.
- Evidence from 13 prosecution witnesses was recorded within six days.
- The prosecution relied on scientific evidence, CCTV footage and witness statements during the trial.
- The court ultimately held the accused guilty based on the evidence presented.
Victim’s Family Seeks Maximum Punishment
The victim’s family has expressed hope that the court will award the maximum punishment permitted under law. They stated that the loss of their young child has caused irreparable grief and have urged the court to impose the strictest sentence available.
The final sentence will be announced after the court hears arguments on the quantum of punishment.
Mathura Now will continue to monitor the proceedings and provide verified updates after the court pronounces the sentence.
