Varanasi Court Sentences 16 Men to Life Imprisonment in 2022 Murder of BJP Leader Pashupati Nat
Varanasi — Nearly three years after the brutal killing of a senior BJP leader, a Varanasi court on Friday sentenced 16 men to life imprisonment for their role in the murder of 73-year-old Pashupati Nath, who was attacked while trying to protect his son during a confrontation outside their home in 2022.
The victim, a well-known social worker and resident of Sigra’s Jai Prakash Nagar Colony, succumbed to his injuries after being assaulted with iron rods and sticks by a group of men who were allegedly causing a disturbance near a liquor shop located beneath his residence.
Incident Triggered by Dispute Over Public Nuisance
According to the prosecution, the fatal incident occurred on October 12, 2022, when Raj Kumar Singh, the victim’s son, objected to four men, including Mantu Saroj and Rahul Saroj, creating a ruckus at the liquor outlet. What began as a verbal spat soon escalated when the accused threatened retaliation before leaving the scene.
Shortly afterward, the men returned with reinforcements and launched a violent assault on Raj Kumar Singh. Hearing the commotion, Pashupati Nath rushed out to intervene but was brutally attacked by the group wielding iron rods and wooden sticks. He fell unconscious at the scene and was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Legal Proceedings and Convictions
An FIR was lodged at Sigra police station naming 18 individuals, including two minors. During the investigation, police confirmed the involvement of all 18. The cases against the two juveniles were separated and are still being heard before the Juvenile Justice Board.
The remaining 16 adult accused, all residents between the ages of 25 and 45, were taken into custody on Thursday after the court found them guilty of rioting, murder, attempted murder, and criminal conspiracy under common intention. The District and Sessions Court pronounced the final sentencing on Friday, awarding life imprisonment to all convicts and imposing financial penalties.
Witness Testimonies and Trial
During the course of the trial, the court examined eight prosecution witnesses and three defence witnesses. Government counsel Manoj Gupta, who led the prosecution, described the case as one of “cold-blooded mob violence triggered by a baseless confrontation.”
“Justice has been served. The brutal killing of a respected citizen has not gone unpunished,” Gupta said after the verdict.
Appeal on the Horizon
Defence counsel Virendra Pathak confirmed that they plan to challenge the conviction in a higher court, maintaining that the accused had been wrongfully implicated.
The sentencing marks a significant legal milestone in a case that shook the local community and drew attention to rising lawlessness around liquor outlets in residential areas. Pashupati Nath, a senior BJP functionary and community leader, was widely respected for his social work in Varanasi.
With this ruling, the judiciary has sent a clear message about the consequences of mob violence and vigilantism, particularly when it results in the loss of innocent lives.
