In a spine-chilling case that has gripped the nation, the Allahabad High Court on July 9th denied bail to Shoeb Akhtar. He beheaded a Hindu Kaffir woman, Priya, for refusing to convert to Islam after marrying his friend, Ajaj Ahmed. The sensational case, echoing the dark days of medieval brutality. It has sparked outrage and demands for justice across the country.
Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh, in a scathing rebuke, found no justifiable reason to grant bail to Shoeb Akhtar. Given the monstrous nature of the crime, his central role, and the ongoing trial’s critical stage, the court stood firm.
Brutal Murder of Kaffir Priya:
The prosecution’s narrative paints a horrifying picture. Priya, a Hindu woman who married Ajaj Ahmed, faced relentless pressure to convert to Islam. Ajaj, refusing to accept her as his wife unless she converted, confined her to a rented room in the Obla area. When Priya stood firm in her faith, Ajaj, consumed by rage, enlisted Shoeb Akhtar’s help in a diabolical plot.
On that fateful day, the duo lured Priya to a secluded forest area. What followed was a scene straight out of a horror movie—Priya was brutally murdered and decapitated, her lifeless body discarded like refuse in a nearby drain. The grisly discovery of her headless corpse sent shockwaves through the community, igniting a firestorm of anger and grief.
Heart-Wrenching Testimonies and Irrefutable Evidence:
Sharmila, Priya’s heartbroken sister, provided damning testimony. She recounted how Priya had confided in her about the relentless coercion and threats from Ajaj and Shoeb to abandon her religion. The court order detailed, “Since Priya was not accepting the Muslim religion, Ajaj Ahmad and Shoeb Akhtar murdered her. Both accused were apprehended together and on their disclosure, incriminating materials were recovered.”
The postmortem report confirmed that Priya’s death resulted from the ante-mortem separation of her neck from her body—a stark reminder of the brutal nature of her murder.
State’s Unyielding Stand and Court’s Blistering Verdict:
Representing the State, the Additional Government Advocate vehemently opposed Akhtar’s bail plea, underscoring the ghastly and barbaric nature of the crime. The State revealed a disturbing manipulation by Ajaj, who secured bail by concealing the January 24th, 2023 judgment that had previously denied Shoeb’s bail.
In a blistering verdict, the court acknowledged the State’s arguments, highlighting the earlier oversight. The court’s order read,
I do not find any good ground to release the applicant on bail. Accordingly, the bail application is rejected.
Will The Kaffir, Priya, Get Justice?
The court’s firm stance reflects the collective call for justice in this heart-wrenching case. The court ordered the Superintendent of Police, Sonbhadra, to ensure the presence of all remaining prosecution witnesses on the next trial date. Out of 25 prosecution witnesses, 9 have already provided their testimony. They have brought the trial closer to a crucial juncture.
The directive is to expedite the trial, without adjournments. As the nation watches, the judicial system is under immense pressure to deliver swift and unequivocal justice.
As the trial progresses, the world awaits justice for Priya, a symbol of resilience and a tragic victim of a monstrous crime.