Delhi court reserves verdict on sentence for convicts in Ankit Saxena murder case

New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) – A Delhi court has reserved its order on sentence for the three convicts involved in the killing of Ankit Saxena, who was murdered in full public view in the national capital in 2018. ASJ Sunil Kumar Sharma of Tis Hazari Court is set to announce the sentence on March 7 for Akbar Ali, Shahnaz Begum, and Mohammad Salim, who were convicted on December 23 last year.

The Victim Impact Assessment Report concerning Saxena was submitted by the Delhi Legal Service Authority, highlighting the tragedy his family has faced. The judge took this report on record to evaluate compensation for the family of the deceased. The court proceedings saw Delhi police pushing for maximum punishment for the convicts, while the defense counsel pleaded for a more lenient view on their sentence.

The investigation revealed that Saxena’s relationship with a girl of a different religion led to the crime, with the perpetrators being the parents and maternal uncle of the girl who opposed their interfaith relationship. The convicted individuals face charges under IPC Sections 302 (murder), 34 (common intention), and Shahnaz Begum also faces charges of voluntarily causing hurt. Suggestions for sentencing ranged from maximum punishment to a more compassionate approach.