A decade after the sensational murder of Advocate Meenakshi Jaiswal in Kharghar, the Panvel Sessions Court is set to pronounce the sentence for the three convicted accused on Thursday. Citizens of Panvel and Kharghar, as well as the legal fraternity, are closely watching the case outcome.
Advocate Meenakshi Jaiswal, former Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, was residing in Vastu Vihar Celebration building in Kharghar. Her husband, Dr. Santosh Jaiswal, was serving as a senior-level Civil Judge. On December 19, 2014, Meenakshi Jaiswal was murdered in her own residence.
During the investigation, Kharghar Police arrested four accused: Maninder Singh alias Mithu, Vinayak Thavra Chavan, Suraj Rambhavan Jaiswal, and Surendrakumar Chamanlal Batra. According to police, Chavan who did ods jobs for deceased Jaiswal, was the mastermind behind the crime.The trial initially began at Alibag Sessions Court but was later transferred to the newly established Panvel Sessions Court. During the proceedings, accused Surendrakumar Batra passed away.
The trial was conducted in the court of Additional Sessions Judge S. S. Shinde. Renowned Special Public Prosecutor Adv. Ujjwal Nikam represented the state, assisted by Adv. Prasad Patil. A total of 20 witnesses were examined during the trial. After thorough evaluation of all evidence and testimonies, the court convicted the accused under sections 302 read with 34, 392 read with 34, and 397 read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code.
Final arguments concluded last week, and the court has scheduled May 15 for sentencing.
