2 bros get life term for murdering adopted cousin over family dispute in Bijnor

Meerut: A court in Bijnor sentenced two brothers to life imprisonment for the 2016 murder of their adopted cousin amid a long-standing family dispute over inheritance. 

The additional sessions judge, Prakash Chand Shukla, on Thursday also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on each convict, with Rs 90,000 set aside as compensation for Rahul's (20) father, Ramratan, said ADGC Mukesh Chauhan.Chauhan said, 

"Rohit's elder brother, Somnath, lodged a complaint. Rohit was adopted by his uncle Raju, a confectioner who had no children. 

However, Raju's nephews—Surdeep Kumar (35) and Gautam Kumar (33)—opposed the adoption, fearing it would jeopardise their claim to his property.

"The resentment led to escalating tensions, ultimately forcing the brothers to leave the family home and move to a rented house in Ram Colony, Chandpur. 

"Their hostility towards Rohit only intensified, and they repeatedly harassed and assaulted him. He narrowly escaped their attacks three times before they finally killed him," Chauhan said.

On July 20, 2016, the brothers ambushed Rohit outside a cinema and stabbed him multiple times, leaving him dead on the spot.

After examining the evidence and witness testimonies, the court convicted both brothers of murder. "Following the sentencing, they were taken into custody and sent to jail directly from the courtroom," Chauhan added.