THE Second Additional Sessions Court in Raipur has sentenced two brothers to life imprisonment for the murder of youth Hitesh Verma in Ghulghul village under Tilda Nevra police station limits. Judge Jitendra Kumar Singh pronounced the verdict on October 5, sentencing Vedprakash alias Ved Verma and his brother Ajay Kumar Verma to life imprisonment and imposing fines. According to the prosecution, the incident took place on March 16, 2025, around 3.30 pm in a lane near Govardhan Hill and the village school in Ghulghul. Hitesh was allegedly confronted by Ved and Ajay, who assaulted him, abused his mother and sister and threatened to kill him. When Hitesh’s brother Hemnarayan Verma intervened, he was also allegedly abused, threatened and beaten. During the assault, Ved allegedly attacked Hitesh with a knife, while Ajay struck him on the right leg below the knee with a bamboo stick. The two accused then fled the spot.

 

Hitesh was taken by his family to Tilda Nevra Government Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Tilda Nevra police registered Crime No 107/2025 and began an investigation. The crime scene was inspected and physical evidence collected. Police also recovered a blood-stained knife allegedly from Ved’s possession, while blood stains were found on clothes reportedly worn during the incident. A chargesheet was subsequently filed against both accused. The court awarded Ved additional sentences under the other charges, including provisions relating to criminal intimidation, voluntarily causing hurt and offences under the Arms Act. Ajay was also sentenced under the relevant provisions for intimidation and causing hurt, in addition to the life sentence for murder. The court directed that the sentences awarded to the accused would run concurrently. It also recommended that appropriate compensation be provided to the deceased’s family under the Victim Compensation Scheme.