New Delhi: In a significant development that has spanned over a decade and a half, the Saket Court in Delhi delivered its verdict on the murder case of Delhi journalist Soumya Vishwanathan. The court found all the accused guilty on Wednesday, ending a long and arduous legal battle that began in 2008 when Soumya was brutally shot dead while returning home from work.
The incident, which occurred on September 30, 2008, initially appeared to be a tragic car accident. However, forensic reports soon revealed that Soumya had died from a gunshot wound to the head, leading to the initiation of a murder investigation. Police suspected that she was chased and the fatal shot was fired from another moving vehicle.
CCTV footage in the area played a crucial role in tracing Soumya's last moments, as it showed a maroon car following her vehicle. The investigation took a significant turn in March 2009 when Delhi Police arrested two suspects, Ravi Kapoor and Amit Shukla, who were also linked to the murder of call centre executive Jigisha Ghosh.
During their interrogation, Kapoor and Shukla confessed to not only their involvement in Jigisha's murder but also in Soumya's killing, describing it as a "thrilling activity." The investigation further confirmed that the same maroon car seen in the CCTV footage was used in both murders, strengthening the case against the accused.
In June 2010, Delhi Police filed a charge sheet implicating Ravi Kapoor, Amit Shukla, and three other suspects, Baljeet Malik, Ajay Kumar and Ajay Sethi, in the murder of Soumya Vishwanathan. The trial proceedings commenced on November 16, 2010, at the Saket Court.
The trial was marked by the presentation of key forensic evidence, including the matching of bullets with the firearm owned by the killers, surveillance footage, and the confession of the accused. However, the defence countered these arguments by raising questions about the 'confession under duress' and challenging the reliability of forensic evidence, attempting to cast doubt on the prosecution's narrative.
After a lengthy legal battle, on July 19, 2016, the Saket Court concluded the hearings in the case and reserved its order for the next hearing. The judgement was subsequently deferred multiple times due to various legal complexities and procedural hurdles, prolonging the pursuit of justice for Soumya Vishwanathan.
Fifteen years after the tragic incident, the Saket Court finally delivered its verdict on October 18, 2023. The court's decision brings closure to a case that has been marred by delays and challenges, ultimately holding all the accused accountable for the murder of Soumya Vishwanathan.
