The Delhi Legal Service Authority (DLSA) has submitted the Victim Impact Assessment Report regarding the murder of Ankit Saxena, who was killed in full public view in West Delhi in 2018. Ankit’s mother, the sole surviving member of the family, makes the report crucial for assessing compensation. The matter is scheduled for hearing on March 2, after the Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sunil Kumar Sharma of Tis Hazari Court has taken the report on record.
In December 2018, the court had convicted Akbar Ali, Shahnaz Begum, and Mohammad Salim for their involvement in Ankit’s murder. The case took a darker turn when it was revealed that the perpetrators were none other than the parents and maternal uncle of Ankit’s girlfriend, who opposed his interfaith relationship.
Earlier, there were procedural concerns with an affidavit submitted on behalf of convict Salim, as it lacked attestation by the jail superintendent. Akbar Ali’s counsel also sought additional time to add details to the affidavit. Additionally, the counsel raised objections to media reporting of the case, claiming it could impede the rights of the convicts. The Special Public Prosecutor countered this by stating that the judgement was a public document and subject to media reporting.
The charges against the convicts include IPC Sections 302 (murder) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention). Shahnaz Begum has also been convicted of voluntarily causing hurt.
The Victim Impact Assessment Report is a crucial step in the legal process to bring justice to Ankit Saxena and his family. The upcoming hearing on March 2 will determine the sentencing for the three convicts involved in the case.
The submission of the report by the DLSA and the court’s acknowledgment of it mark significant developments in the pursuit of justice for Ankit Saxena’s murder.
Photo Credit: Image by IANS
