AJAY MAHTO vs STATE

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Reserved on: 16.03.2026 Pronounced on: 21.04.2026 + CRL.A. 965/2001 & CRL.M.A. 10935/2019 AJAY MAHTO .....Appellant Through: Mr.Kavindra Kumar Gill, Adv. (Amicus Curiae) versus STATE .....Respondent Through: Mr.Aman Usman, APP with Mr.Manvendra Yadav, Adv. with SI Vikram Singh, PS Welcome. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAVIN CHAWLA HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAVINDER DUDEJA JUDGMENT NAVIN CHAWLA, J. 1. The instant appeal has been preferred by the appellant, challenging the judgment dated 28.09.2001 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Shahdara District, Karkardooma Courts, Delhi (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Trial Court’) in Sessions Case No. 80/2001 arising out of FIR No. 316/1998 lodged at Police Station Welcome, New Delhi, vide which the appellant has been convicted for the offence punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter referred to as ‘IPC’). Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed CRL.A. 965/2001 Page 1 of 15 By:REYMON VASHIST Signing Date:21.04.2026 17:53:02 2. The appellant further challenges the Order on Sentence dated 29.09.2001 passed by the learned Trial Court, whereby the appellant had been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life along with a fine of Rs. 5,000/- under Section 302 of the IPC. In case of default of payment of fine, the appellant was to further undergo simple imprisonment for six months. 3. The sentence imposed by the learned Trial Court on the appellant had been suspended by this Court till the pendency of the present appeal, vide order dated 05.04.2006. The appellant, however, thereafter failed to appear before this Court since 2010. In view of the above, the appellant had been declared as a Proclaimed Offender vide order dated 27.11.2025 passed by thi