A local court in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur district has delivered a decisive verdict in a three-and-a-half-year-old murder case that shook the region. Additional Sessions Judge First Ajay Singh found two brothers, Ramlakhan and Shivlakhan, guilty of murdering school bus driver Rajjan Tiwari in Silmi village under Kishunpur police station limits, sentencing both convicts to rigorous life imprisonment. Alongside the life terms, the court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on each brother.
Brutal assault with sticks lasted forty minutes
According to details shared by government advocate Anjay Singh, the fatal confrontation took place on the night of February 3, 2023. Driven by a long-standing personal enmity, the two brothers intercepted school bus driver Rajjan Tiwari, a resident of Silmi village, and launched a relentless physical assault using wooden sticks. The assailants continuously assaulted Rajjan for approximately 40 minutes. Though the critically injured driver was rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment. The post-mortem examination revealed 15 distinct injuries across his body, establishing that massive head trauma was the direct cause of death.
Investigation, arrest timeline, and trial findings
A formal first information report was registered the day following the crime, based on a written complaint submitted by the victim's brother, Vimlesh Kumar. The police booked the accused under statutory provisions covering murder, assault, and criminal intimidation. Investigating officers arrested Ramlakhan within a few days of the incident and sent him to judicial custody, while Shivlakhan managed to evade capture initially. Law enforcement eventually caught Shivlakhan after an elusion lasting around nine days. During the judicial proceedings, prosecutors produced strong material evidence and eyewitness testimonies, leaving the defence unable to counter the allegations and culminating in the murder conviction.
Family protest halted the funeral for six hours
When the mortal remains of Rajjan Tiwari were returned to Silmi village, grieving family members initially refused to proceed with the final rites. His wife Meena Devi and mother Gomti Devi demanded stringent punishment against the culprits. Relatives raised serious objections, contending that they had earlier alerted the local police outpost regarding threats and the possibility of violence, but no preventive action was initiated. Senior police and administrative officials rushed to pacify the agitated villagers and promised rigorous follow-up, after which the cremation was carried out following a delay of nearly six hours.
Mother named in initial complaint and court summons
In the original written complaint submitted by the victim's family, the mother of the accused brothers, Saraswati Devi, was also listed as a participant. However, during the course of the investigation, the police dropped Saraswati Devi's name from the official charge sheet citing lack of evidence. Taking note of the legal procedures surrounding the case, the court has formally summoned her in connection with the matter.
