A Thane court has convicted Ajay Vishwakarma to life imprisonment for the 2016 murder of Jay Prajapati. Co-accused Sanjay Goutam acquitted due to lack of evidence. Major forensic and digital evidences resulted in conviction.
Thane, Maharashtra | March 22, 2025:
In a landmark judgment, a Maharashtra Thane district court has awarded life imprisonment to a 30-year-old man, Ajay Lalbahaddur Vishwakarma, for killing a man in 2016, said news agency PTI. The co-accused has been acquitted due to the absence of evidence.
Key Highlights:
• Life imprisonment to accused Ajay Vishwakarma
• Found guilty under Section 302 (murder) of IPC
• Co-accused Sanjay Goutam acquitted on the ground of inadequate evidence
• Body of victim found wrapped in motorcycle cover in
mangroves
• Ransom demand not established conclusively
• Digital and forensic evidence were pivotal in conviction
Case Details:
Murder & Ransom Demand:
On July 27, 2016, the victim, Jay Prajapati, went missing after informing his father that he was at Bhayandar railway station. Shortly after, the family received messages from Prajapati’s phone demanding ₹15 lakh for his release. Despite efforts by the family and local police, the victim could not be traced. Days later, his body was discovered wrapped in a motorcycle cover in the mangroves.
Court Proceedings:
Additional Sessions Judge A N Sirsikar found Ajay Vishwakarma guilty under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and other provisions. He was awarded the following punishments:
• Life imprisonment for murder
• Additional five-year rigorous imprisonment sentence
(Both sentences to run concurrently)
The court noted that the prosecution presented 16 witnesses, including family members, medical officers, and forensic experts. Despite a six-year delay in testimonies, the judge stated that minor discrepancies did not weaken the credibility of the evidence.
Crucial Evidence:
• Discovery of Prajapati’s body at the instance of Vishwakarma
• Extra-judicial confession made by Vishwakarma to a witness
• Forensic and digital investigation linking the accused to the crime
The court highlighted the personal animosity as the basis of the killing. But, the prosecution was unable to substantiate the demand for ransom beyond reasonable doubt, nor could the second accused be implicated.
Co-Accused Acquitted:
The co-accused, Sanjay Firatlal Goutam, was acquitted by the court noting that presence at railway premises, as exhibited through CCTV coverage, was insufficient to implicate him in the offense.
Verdict:
Judge Sirsikar held that the case did not come in the category of ‘rarest of rare’ and hence did not merit the death penalty. Thus, life imprisonment was deemed fit.
The order, passed on Thursday, was released on Saturday.
