Quick Summary: In a surprising development, the Delhi High Court has canceled the life sentences of four men who were found guilty in the death of Shahnawaz, a case that was initially considered murder. The court changed the conviction to a lesser charge due to new information about the victim's health condition.
On April 6, 2015, a small traffic accident near Turkman Gate, Delhi, turned into a deadly fight. Shahnawaz, the victim, was reportedly beaten by Mohd. Shadab, Mohd. Waseem, Saleemuddin, and Mohd. Atif Malik after his motorcycle accidentally touched their car. The injured Shahnawaz was taken to LNJP Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
"Mohd. Shadab used bad language, got out of the car, and started hitting his father," said eyewitness PW-2, Mohd. Fahad, the victim's son.
On September 6, 2025, the Sessions Court found Mohd. Shadab, Mohd. Waseem, Saleemuddin, and Mohd. Atif Malik guilty of murder, sentencing them to life in prison. The court mainly relied on eyewitness statements from the victim's family members.
Several family members, including Shahnawaz's sons and brothers, testified against Mohd. Shadab and the others, describing a violent attack. However, during questioning, some differences and family ties were noted, raising doubts about how reliable these statements were.
"The accused kept hitting his brother Shahnawaz," testified PW-9, Waseemuddin, the victim's brother.
During the appeal, the defense pointed out important medical evidence. The deceased had serious heart disease, with a completely blocked artery. Dr. Jyoti Barwa's testimony suggested that Shahnawaz's death could mostly be due to his existing heart condition.
"The deceased was already suffering from heart disease with a significant blockage," noted Dr. Barwa.
On February 9, 2026, Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Madhu Jain looked at the case again. They decided that the incident was a sudden act of road rage, not planned murder. The court changed the crime to causing serious injury, taking into account the victim's health issues.
The court sentenced Mohd. Shadab, Mohd. Waseem, Saleemuddin, and Mohd. Atif Malik to the time they had already spent in jail, leading to their immediate release. The decision considered the lack of intent to kill and the medical conditions that contributed to Shahnawaz's death.
