Garhwal Post Bureau
Haridwar, 13 Jun: Murder accused Haider Ali has been sentenced to death for murdering Nidhi Paswan, a young woman from SC community, in her home in Krishnanagar, Gangnahar Kotwali area, Roorkee, in April 2021. Ali, allegedly driven by one-sided love, had carried out the crime with accomplices. His associate, Rehan, has been handed a life sentence.
Police had arrested Haider Ali and Rehan four years ago in connection with the murder. A minor was also taken into custody. The Additional District and Sessions Judge’s court in Roorkee has now pronounced the death sentence for Ali and life imprisonment for Rehan, with both fined Rs 50,000 each.
The case against the third accused, a minor, is still pending in court. Haider Ali, a resident of Safarpur village, reportedly harboured unreciprocated feelings for Nidhi, a Dalit woman from Krishnanagar. Nidhi’s brother, Dinesh Singh, alleged that Ali was pressuring her to marry him, but she refused. In retaliation, Ali, along with Rehan from Shahpur village and a minor accomplice, broke into Nidhi’s home and slit her throat, killing her.
Recognising the severity of the case, the police had swiftly arrested Ali and Rehan. A minor involved in the crime was also detained. The Haridwar court has now sentenced Ali to death and Rehan to life imprisonment, alongside a Rs 50,000 fine each. Meanwhile, the case involving the minor accused remains under judicial review.
Following the verdict, Nidhi’s family has expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, particularly regarding the death sentence for the principal accused.
Nidhi’s mother has stated that Haider Ali has been sentenced to death but she would be fully satisfied when Ali is finally hanged. The victim’s family also extended their gratitude to their lawyer, Sanjeev Verma, for his unwavering support. They revealed that Advocate Verma had fought the case pro bono, without charging a single rupee. Dinesh Singh, Anita’s brother, acknowledged Verma’s crucial role in ensuring justice was served.
