Jamshedpur: Gangster Akhilesh Singh and Vikram Sharma acquitted in Tata Steel security officer Jairam Singh murder case

Jamshedpur, May 31: In a surprising turn of events, gangster Akhilesh Singh and Vikram Sharma were acquitted today in the high-profile murder case of Jairam Singh. The verdict, delivered by the court after a lengthy trial, has sparked mixed reactions among the public and raised questions about the criminal justice system’s ability to bring perpetrators to justice.

The court of the first additional district judge, Sanjay Kumar Upadhyay on Wednesday acquitted gangster Akhilesh Singh and his associate giving them the benefit of doubt in the Jairam Singh murder case.

The court had to give the accused benefit of doubt as the police could not provide the necessary witness in establishing the case.

There were in all 16 prosecution witnesses in the case including some police officials. The last hearing was held on May 17 when Vikram Sharma appeared in the court physically. Gangster Akhilesh Singh appeared during the final hearing through video conferencing from Dumka Central jail where he is presently lodged.

Jairam Singh who was a retired Tata Steel security officer was shot at and fatally injured on being shot by bike-borne criminals near Baug-e-Jamshed School in Bistupur on October 4, 2008 morning. The gunshot attack took place while Jairam Singh was returning home along with his granddaughter from Jubilee Park.

The critically-injured Jairam Singh was admitted to the Tata Main Hospital where he died in 24 hours. In this connection, the Bistupur police had registered a case on the FIR lodged by Jairam Singh’s son.

Akhilesh Singh, known for his involvement in organised crime, was considered a prime suspect due to his alleged rivalry with the victim. Vikram Sharma, an associate of Akhilesh Singh, was also charged as an accomplice in the crime. Both defendants had been in custody since their arrest, awaiting the trial process to unfold.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented substantial evidence linking Akhilesh Singh and Vikram Sharma to the murder. Witnesses provided testimonies implicating the defendants, and forensic experts presented their findings, establishing a circumstantial case against them.

However, the defense countered the prosecution’s arguments, challenging the credibility of the witnesses and raising doubts about the validity of the forensic evidence. They presented an alternative narrative, suggesting the possibility of an orchestrated conspiracy to frame their clients. The defense team vehemently argued that Akhilesh Singh and Vikram Sharma were innocent and wrongly accused.

After careful consideration of the evidence and arguments presented by both sides, the court declared Akhilesh Singh and Vikram Sharma not guilty, leading to their acquittal. The judge cited insufficient evidence to establish their involvement beyond reasonable doubt, highlighting the importance of upholding the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”

The prosecution has expressed disappointment over the outcome, vowing to review the case and explore possible avenues for an appeal. The defense, on the other hand, hailed the verdict as a triumph of justice and maintained the innocence of their clients.