A Delhi court has sentenced Bihar BJP MLA Raju Kumar Singh to four years in prison over a 2018 celebratory firing incident that caused the death of a woman doctor, endangering his seat in the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
The Rouse Avenue Court found Singh guilty under Section 304 Part II of the Indian Penal Code and Section 30 of the Arms Act. He received a four-year term for the IPC offense plus a separate two-month sentence under the Arms Act.
The court ordered Singh to pay 25 lakh rupees in compensation to the victim’s family, with an additional three months in jail if the payment is not made.
The incident took place on December 31, 2018, at Singh’s farmhouse in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj during New Year celebrations. Dr Archana Gupta was hit by a bullet and died later in hospital.
Delhi Police investigated and filed a chargesheet. After the trial, the court convicted Singh and imposed the sentence.
Singh represents the Sahebganj constituency in Muzaffarpur district. He won the 2020 Bihar election on a Vikassheel Insaan Party ticket and later joined the BJP.
The sentence of more than two years could lead to disqualification from the assembly under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, unless a higher court stays the conviction or sentence. Without such relief, a by-election would be needed in Sahebganj.
