Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court on Wednesday convicted Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Prakash Jarwal and his associate Kapil Nagar for abetting a doctor’s suicide. They were also found guilty of criminal conspiracy for extortion and threatening the deceased, Rajender Singh.
The deceased, a doctor involved in water supply via tankers, was the victim.
Special judge M K Nagpal found Prakash Jarwal and Kapil Nagar guilty of abetment to suicide, extortion, attempted extortion, criminal intimidation, and criminal conspiracy for extortion. They were held accountable under section 506 (Criminal Intimidation to kill) Part 2, carrying a maximum punishment of up to seven years.
The third accused, Harish Jarwal, was convicted of criminal intimidation. The court affirmed that the prosecution successfully proved the allegations beyond reasonable doubt. Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Manish Rawat presented the case on behalf of Delhi police.
The court directed the accused individuals and the prosecution to submit their affidavits. The next hearing is scheduled for March 13, 2024.
Earlier, on November 11, 2021, the court had framed charges against Prakash Jarwal, Kapil Nagar, and Harish under different sections of the IPC.
The court stated that the offenses under Sections 120 B IPC, in conjunction with Sections 386, 384, and 506, and offenses under Section 384 in association with Section 120 B IPC, Section 386 with Section 120 B IPC, and Section 506 with Section 120 B IPC, along with 306/34 IPC, were prima facie established against Prakash Jarwal and Kapil Nagar.
While Harish was discharged from the offenses under Sections 306 and 386 IPC, he was charged with the offense under Section 506 IPC. An FIR was lodged based on Hemant Singh’s complaint dated 18.04.2020, alleging harassment of his late father, Rajender Singh, who had been supplying water via tankers since 2005.
According to the complaint, Prakash Jarwal, after becoming an MLA, and his associate Kapil Nagar began extorting money from Rajender Singh. Allegedly, Kapil Nagar, at Prakash Jarwal’s behest, collected monthly payments which were crucial for continuing their tanker operations with the Delhi Jal Board.
The complainant asserted that failure to pay resulted in threats and the removal of their tankers from the Jal Board. Despite pleas due to his father’s heart condition, Prakash Jarwal persisted, causing mental and financial distress. Allegedly, Prakash Jarwal used his authority to halt the deceased’s payments, exacerbating the situation.
