In a dramatic case from Pune, the Supreme Court has upheld life sentences for five men involved in a deadly attack during a wedding procession in 1999. The decision, delivered by Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul M. Pancholi on October 29, 2025, confirms the convictions under various parts of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
On April 27, 1999, in the village of Kari, Pune District, a wedding celebration turned tragic. Ankush Gholap was attacked and killed by a group led by Pandharinath Gholap and Maruti Gholap. The incident followed a previous fight on April 26, when Ankush was assaulted by Vitthal Deoba Gholap, leading to a police complaint.
The next day, Ankush, along with friends, was ambushed. The attackers arrived on motorcycles, armed with knives and a sattur (a type of cleaver). Ankush was dragged from a jeep and fatally assaulted, while others sustained serious injuries. The attack was described by witnesses as brutal and coordinated.
"The intestine of Ankush came out of the stomach, and he fell on the ground," testified one witness.
Initially, the Sessions Court found Pandharinath and Maruti guilty of murder, sentencing them to life in prison. Others were let go due to lack of evidence. However, the High Court later found all involved guilty under Sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) read with Section 149 (unlawful assembly) of the IPC.
The defendants appealed, arguing inconsistencies in witness testimonies and the lack of a common intent to murder. They also highlighted procedural flaws, like delayed identification parades. However, the Supreme Court found the eyewitness accounts consistent and backed up by medical evidence, supporting the High Court's decision.
Medical reports confirmed Ankush's death from haemorrhagic shock due to multiple sharp injuries. Witnesses, including those injured, consistently identified the attackers, reinforcing the prosecution's case.
"The injuries were sufficient to cause death in the ordinary course of nature," stated the medical examiner.
The Supreme Court's decision confirms that all the attackers are responsible for the murder. The court emphasized that everyone involved in the group attack is accountable for the crime.
