AAP MLA Prakash Jarwal found guilty in case involving the suicide of Delhi doctor

New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) – A Delhi court has convicted AAP MLA Prakash Jarwal in an abetment of suicide case related to the death of a South Delhi-based doctor in 2020. Special Judge MK Nagpal of the Rouse Avenue court pronounced the order.

In 2021, Additional Sessions Judge Geetanjali Goel had framed charges against Jarwal and his aide Kapil Nagar under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including abetment of suicide, criminal conspiracy, extortion, criminal intimidation, and common intention. Another accused, Harish, was discharged from some charges but held liable for criminal intimidation.

The case revolves around the suicide of 52-year-old Dr. Rajender Singh on April 18, 2020, with a purported suicide note implicating Jarwal and his associates for alleged harassment over the victim’s water supply business. The note also accused Jarwal of extortion.

Jarwal’s counsel, Advocate Ravi Drall, stated outside the court premises, “After four years he (Jarwal) has been convicted. Many witnesses turned hostile during the trial, and of those who were cross-examined, their statements were disproved. Even after this, the court has convicted him. We have full faith in the judicial system and will challenge the decision in the High Court.”

The court found sufficient evidence to establish that Jarwal and Nagar had extorted money from the deceased by threatening him and his family, pushing him towards suicide. Jarwal’s defence argued that the allegations were based on observations in the deceased’s diary and lacked direct witness testimony.