Celebratory fire death case: Court sentences Bihar MLA Raju Kumar Singh to 4 years imprisonment, directs to pay Rs 25 lakh compensation to victim
ANI
04 Jul 2026, 21:01 GMT+10
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): The Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday sentenced Bihar MLA Raju Kumar Singh to four years’ imprisonment in connection with the death of Dr Archana Gupta in a celebratory firing incident during a New Year’s Eve party on December 31, 2018
The court also directed Singh to pay compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the victim’s husband, Vikas Gupta
Special Judge Vishal Gogne sentenced Singh to four years’ imprisonment under Section 304 Part II of the Indian Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The court also sentenced him to two months’ imprisonment under the Arms Act
The court further directed that Singh would undergo an additional sentence of three months if he failed to pay the compensation awarded to the victim’s husband
The detailed sentencing order is yet to be uploaded
Since Singh has been sentenced to imprisonment exceeding two years, he may face disqualification as an MLA under the law unless the sentence is stayed by the High Court
The court had on July 3 reserved its order on the quantum of sentence after hearing submissions from both sides
During the hearing on sentencing, Singh sought release on probation of good conduct. His counsel submitted that he had never been convicted in any criminal case and is a six-time MLA
Referring to the probation officer’s report, senior advocate Nandita Rao submitted that Singh is on bail in one case granted by the Patna High Court, has been acquitted in another case, while a third case is pending before a court
She further submitted that Singh’s wife, Renu Singh, had informed the probation officer that her husband had never been sent to jail in any case, which, according to the defence, reflected the absence of any past conviction
The defence argued that the incident was an accident arising out of a negligent act. It submitted that Singh’s family members were also present on the dance floor and that there was no confirmation as to whose bullet struck the victim. According to the defence, only two rounds were fired in the air, and they were not aimed at anyone
It was further argued that Singh neither influenced nor intimidated any witness during the course of the investigation or trial
The defence also submitted that Singh has a family, aged parents and a good record. It urged the court to consider that he has served his constituency with dedication as a six-time MLA and argued that a sentence exceeding two years would result in the loss of his Assembly seat. The court was requested to provide him an opportunity for reform by awarding a sentence of less than two years
Advocate Rajiv Mohan appeared along with advocates Rishabh Bhati and Rehan Khan for the convict
The defence further argued that Singh did not possess scientific knowledge regarding the trajectory of the bullet. It submitted that the bullet’s path depends on the angle at which it is fired and explained that, according to the principles of physics, a bullet fired at a 45-degree angle travels farther than one fired vertically at a 90-degree angle. It was argued that Singh did not know how the bullet would behave after being fired into the air
The defence reiterated its request that the court award a sentence of less than two years in view of Singh’s future
When allowed to address the court before sentencing, Singh stated that he had not committed any wrongful act in his life
‘I have done nothing wrong to date. I am a social man and live in society. The deceased was the wife of my brother’s friend. I used to call her Bhabhi. I pray that the court takes a lenient view,’ Singh told the court
Opposing the plea for leniency, the prosecution argued that the victim, 45-year-old Dr Archana Gupta, had many years of life ahead of her
The public prosecutor submitted that the incident occurred in the presence of the victim’s 12-year-old daughter and husband, who witnessed blood oozing from her head, causing lifelong trauma. The prosecutor argued that the accused ought to have exercised proper precautions
The prosecution further submitted that the firing took place near the dance floor and described celebratory firing as a growing menace in the country. It argued that Singh had no threat perception while he was in Delhi and yet carried his firearm
The prosecution also alleged that after the incident, the victim’s clothes and mobile phone were concealed and recovered later. It further alleged that Singh fled the scene and was apprehended on the Kushinagar highway. According to the prosecution, the blood-stained clothes were discarded on the highway after being washed, and DJ personnel had supported these allegations in their statements
The prosecution argued that the case reflected a situation where ‘a lawmaker became a lawbreaker’ and submitted that Singh, being a six-time MLA, was fully aware of the law. It contended that granting probation would send a wrong message to society
The prosecutor also argued that Singh had shown no respect for the law and made every effort to evade the legal process. It was further submitted that neither Singh nor his wife visited the victim after the incident, which, according to the prosecution, reflected inhuman conduct. (ANI)
Watch latest videos
News RELEASES
Publish news of your business, community or sports group,
personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a
news release to India Gazette
More Information
Business
Section
Amazon nears 400 Leo satellites ahead of service rollout
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Amazon plans to begin offering internet service through its Leo broadband satellite network later this year after
EU’s €4.1B Android fine against Google upheld
BRUSSELS, Belgium: Google has lost its final appeal against a €4.1 billion ($4.7 billion) European Union antitrust fine, ending a years-long
US hiring cools as labor participation hits five-year low
WASHINGTON D.C.: U.S. job growth slowed sharply in June while the labor force participation rate fell to its lowest level in more than
Together AI doubles valuation in $800M funding round
SAN FRANCISCO, California: Artificial intelligence startup Together AI has raised US$800 million in a Series C funding round, more
EU targets Shein, Temu with new import parcel fee
BRUSSELS/LONDON: The European Union has imposed a new three-euro fee on low-value e-commerce imports from China, targeting online retailers
Kroger expands with $1.65B Giant Eagle acquisition
CINCINNATI, Ohio: Kroger will acquire the regional supermarket chain Giant Eagle in a US$1.65 billion deal, expanding its footprint
Delhi
Section
CBI conducts searches in two bank fraud cases of over Rs 231 crore
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday conducted coordinated searches in Maharashtra
Celebratory fire death case: Court sentences Bihar MLA Raju Kumar Singh to 4 years imprisonment, directs to pay Rs 25 lakh compensation to victim
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): The Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday sentenced Bihar MLA Raju Kumar Singh to four years’ imprisonment
Strategic location to connect Asia, Africa, Middle East: Seychelles’ envoy hails PM Modi’s recent visit
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): High Commissioner of Seychelles to India, Harisoa Lalatiana Accouche, on Saturday hailed the successful
Grand Trophy Launch of Europe’s Biggest Kabaddi League ‘IPKL 2026’ to take place in Dubai; Global Corporates to Attend The Hague (Netherlands)
VMPL New Delhi [India] / Dubai [UAE], July 4:In a major boost to Kabaddi’s global footprint, the official trophy for the International
“Proof of your steadfast resolve”: Rajasthan CM Sharma praises PM Modi on refinery-cum-petrochemical complex inauguration in Balotra
Balotra (Rajasthan) [India], July 4 (ANI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Saturday hailed Prime Minister Naredra Modi
J-K: BJP calls for ban on govt school book, claims it glorifies separatist leaders
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India] July 4 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday strongly criticised
