Justice has finally caught up with the perpetrators of one of Jharkhand’s most inflammatory crimes. A CBI court in Ranchi today imposed life sentences on three individuals convicted in the 2022 lynching of teenager Rupesh Pandey amid a Saraswati Puja immersion rally in Hazaribagh. Mohammad Aslam Ansari (Pappu Miyan), Mohammad Gufran, and Mohammad Kaif will spend the rest of their lives behind bars, slapped additionally with Rs 10,000 fines apiece.
Post-conviction on February 2, the court swiftly remanded them to jail, closing a dark chapter that had gripped the state. Notably, two co-accused—Mohammad Irfan and Istkhar Miyan—were acquitted for insufficient proof, a decision that drew mixed reactions.
Rewind to February 6, 2022: The Barhi area buzzed with festive energy as crowds immersed Saraswati idols. Seventeen-year-old Rupesh Pandey, out with his uncle, became the target of a vicious mob orchestrated by Aslam Ansari. The boy was savagely assaulted and killed on the spot, sending shockwaves through Jharkhand.
Fury spread like wildfire, leading to unrest in several districts. Police lodged an FIR against 27 named persons but charged only five initially. Dissatisfied with the pace, the victim’s mother petitioned the High Court, prompting CBI intervention.
The CBI meticulously rebuilt the case, filing fresh charges and arguing before the special court. Prosecutor Priyanshu Singh’s compelling presentation sealed the fates of the three guilty men.
Beyond punishment, this ruling reinforces accountability in communal clashes. It highlights judicial resolve in high-stakes cases, potentially averting similar tragedies. For Rupesh’s family, it’s bittersweet closure; for society, a call to vigilance during public religious events.