“Perusal of the file reveals that the offence committed by the convict is very horrible as he killed Bengali (victim) for no fault of his,” Additional Sessions Judge S P Garg said.

Awarding life sentence to Ajay Kumar, the judge relied upon circumstantial evidence and noted that Bengali was last seen in his company before his body was found near Budhha Garden on July 15, 2005.

Testimonies by witnesses that the victim was taken away by Kumar on July 13 that year, following an altercation between them over payment for repairs of the mini bus, had further pointed to the guilt of the accused, the court noted.

“The circumstances established on record by the prosecution form complete chain of evidence,” the court stated, adding that the accused had miserably failed in explaining the whereabouts of the victim after being seen with him. It, however, acquitted a co-accused in the case for want of evidence.