Execution of former Haryana MLA murder case accused on November 26

Hisar, Sep 8 (UNI) A Sessions Court here today ruled that the hanging of Sonia, who had confessed to having killed her father and Barwala ex-MLA Relu Ram Punia and seven family members in 2001, and her accomplice husband would take place on November 26.

Announcing the date, Hisar Session Judge S S Lamba directed the Central Jail Ambala, where Sonia and her husband Sanjiv are imprisoned, to complete the hanging process and report back by December 1, next year.

Ram Singh, brother of the slain leader, had appealed to the Session Court to implement its verdict of the death sentence, which was earlier turned down by the High Court, to the couple.

On May 31 in 2004, District and Session Judge Arvinder Kumar Goyal had awarded the death sentence to both Sonia and Sanjiv.

However, both the accused appealed to the High Court and the verdict was converted into life sentence.

On February 15, the Supreme Court upheld the Sessions Court's verdict after Ram Singh and the Haryana government appealed to the Apex Court against the HC's ruling. The review petition was also turned down by the SC on August 23.

The couple was found guilty of murdering Relu Ram Punia, his wife Krishna, son Sunil, daughter in law Shakuntla, daughter Priyanka, grandson Lokesh (4), and grand daughters Shivani (2) and Preeti (infant) on the night of August 23, 2001.

UNI