Jaipur Daughter Denied Bail: High Court Rejects Plea in Mother's Murder Case

The Rajasthan High Court's Jaipur Bench has delivered a significant ruling in the sensational murder case involving the death of 45 year old Neeraj Sharma. The court has officially rejected the bail application filed by the deceased's daughter, Ayushi, who is a primary accused in the conspiracy to kill her mother. Judge Shweta Dadhich of the ADJ-6 Court of Jaipur Metropolitan First, while presiding over the matter on Wednesday, stated that based on the investigation conducted so far and the facts presented, there is no prima facie evidence to suggest that the accused has been falsely implicated in the crime.

The Court's Observations and Factual Report

During the proceedings, the court highlighted several critical aspects of the case, while the factual report indicated a strained relationship and ongoing disputes between Ayushi and her mother, Neeraj Sharma. The court noted that the investigation is still in a crucial stage, especially since one of the key accused, Ayushi's cousin Balram alias Ravi, remains at large. The judiciary expressed concerns that granting bail to the accused at this juncture could potentially hinder the ongoing investigation and influence the pursuit of the absconding suspect.

Arguments Presented by the Defense

Ayushi's legal team, comprising advocates Nishant Sharma, Ketan Dhabhai, and Kamil Hussain, presented several arguments in favor of her bail. They contended that Ayushi had been framed due to pressure from the deceased's relatives, while the defense argued that no recoveries had been made from her possession and that she had no direct links with the other co-accused in the case. Plus, they emphasized her family situation, stating that she and her brother are the only remaining members of the family. They informed the court that her brother suffers from a serious illness, is socially incapable, and is entirely dependent on Ayushi. They also pointed out that she wasn't present at the crime scene and has no prior criminal record, suggesting that the trial would take a long time to conclude.

The Prosecution's Stance and Motive

On the other hand, the police and the counsel for the complainant strongly opposed the bail plea. They argued that the accused daughter had orchestrated the murder with the specific intent of seizing her mother's property and securing a compassionate appointment for a government job. Neeraj Sharma had recently started working as an LDC in the court, a position she received following the death of her husband a year ago, while the prosecution labeled the crime as a grave offense and insisted that the investigation would only be complete once the absconding accused is apprehended.

Details of the Tragic Incident

The incident dates back to July 3, when Neeraj Sharma, a resident of Ravindra Nagar in Pratap Nagar, was returning home after dropping her 16 year old son at a coaching center. At approximately 4:45 PM, a Scorpio traveling at a lethal speed of 130 KM per hour intentionally struck her. The impact was so violent that Neeraj was thrown nearly 100 feet away, resulting in her immediate death at the scene. The driver of the vehicle fled the spot immediately after the collision. Subsequent police investigations revealed a chilling conspiracy where Ayushi, along with her cousin Balram and another individual named Mohan Swaroop, had allegedly hired hitmen named Akash and Arvind through a friend named Hemant. The deal for the murder was reportedly struck for 7 lakh rupees. To date, the police have arrested 7 individuals, including the daughter and the brother-in-law of the deceased, and have recovered the Scorpio used in the crime.