Nagpur, India: The Nagpur District Court, presided over by Additional District and Sessions Judge Shilpa M. Bais, sentenced five individuals in connection with a 2017 case involving the assault of police officers on duty. The court found the accused guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including charges of unlawful assembly, obstruction of public servants, and criminal intimidation.

The case dates back to October 4, 2017, when police constable Jitesh Kailas Reddy, while on patrol duty, received information about loud music being played during a birthday celebration in Premnagar, Lodhipura, Nagpur. Upon reaching the location with his team, the police attempted to intervene and enforce the law. However, the accused, identified as Nikhil Suresh Verma (32), Khushboo Suresh Verma (33), Urmila Santosh Singh Verma (52), Pawan Santosh Singh Verma (32), and Chandrashekhar Harichandra Morke (33), allegedly gathered an unlawful assembly, obstructed the police, hurled obscene insults, and physically assaulted the officers. They also reportedly threatened to kill the police personnel.

The Shantinagar Police Station registered a case under Sections 143, 147, 149, 353, 294, 506, and 186 of the IPC. Following the arrest of the accused on October 5, 2017, an investigation was conducted by the then Police Sub-Inspector Sunil D. Wagh, who later filed a chargesheet in court.

In the verdict delivered on August 12, 2024, Judge Shilpa M. Bais sentenced the accused to various terms of imprisonment:

• Under Section 353/34 IPC (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), the accused were sentenced to two years of simple imprisonment and fined Rs. 1,000 each. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional two months of simple imprisonment.
• Under Section 294/34 IPC (obscene acts and songs), they were sentenced to two months of simple imprisonment and fined Rs. 500 each, with a default sentence of 15 days of simple imprisonment.
• Under Section 506/34 IPC (criminal intimidation), the accused were sentenced to one year of simple imprisonment and fined Rs. 1,000 each, with an additional one month of simple imprisonment if the fine is not paid.

The prosecution in the case was led by Advocate Mrs Charushila Paunikar, while the defence was represented by Advocate Mr P.N. Upadhyay. The court liaison duties were handled by Swati Mohale from the Nagpur Police.

This ruling marks a stern message against any acts of violence and intimidation directed at law enforcement officers in the line of duty.