MLA gets life term in kidnapping case

Patna, Sep 17 (UNI) A local sessions court here today awarded life imprisonment to suspended JD(U) MLA Sunil Pandey alias Narendra Kumar Pandey in the kidnapping case of renowned neurosurgeon Dr Ramesh Chandra.

The court also awarded life term to four others accused in the case.

The court also slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 against each of the convict.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Vijay Prakash Mishra found guilty a total of nine people, including the MLA, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The court issued non-bailable arrest warrants against four accused who were not present in the court today. The Judge, after hearing counsel of five other accused, including that of the MLA, pronounced its verdict.

While pronouncing the judgement, the judge stated that 25 per cent of the fine amount would go to the state while another 25 per cent would be given to the victim's family as compensation.

On May 17, 2003, Dr Ramesh Chandra was kidnapped from the state capital and the abductors demanded Rs 50 lakh as ransom.

Chandra was on way to his residence at Mithapur B-area after attending a party. He was, however, rescued by the police safely from Erora village under Naubatpur police station area of this district on May 21, 2003.

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