Allahabad HC commutes death sentences of 4 in 2008 Rampur CRPF attack case

Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday reversed the death penalty of four convicts, including two Pakistani nationals, in the 2008 Rampur CRPF camp terror attack. One convict’s life sentence was also reduced. In this attack, seven CRPF personnel and one civilian were killed.

The court sentenced the four accused, Sharif, Sabahuddin, Imran Shehzad (Pakistani), and Mohd Farooq (Pakistani), to 10 years’ imprisonment under the Arms Act, a sentence they have already served during 17 years in custody. Jang Bahadur, previously sentenced to life imprisonment, had his sentence modified as well.

The trial court had originally convicted the four under charges of waging war against the State and UAPA in 2019. They challenged their convictions, questioning identification procedures and custody of forensic evidence.

The attack on the CRPF camp occurred during the night of December 31, 2007, to January 1, 2008, by Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives using AK-47 rifles and grenades. Uttar Pradesh police arrested the accused in February 2008.

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In a significant verdict, the Allahabad High Court commuted the death sentences of four convicts involved in the 2008 Rampur CRPF camp terror attack. The convicts include Sharif, Sabahuddin, Imran Shehzad (Pakistani), and Mohd Farooq (Pakistani). Additionally, the life sentence of Jang Bahadur, involved in the conspiracy, was modified.

The convicts had already served 17 years in custody, and the court sentenced them to 10 years’ imprisonment for possession of illegal arms and ammunition. The case stemmed from a night attack on December 31, 2007, by Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives that killed seven CRPF personnel and a civilian.

The trial court in 2019 had awarded death penalties to the four accused and life imprisonment to Jang Bahadur. The convicts appealed, citing doubts over identification procedures and handling of fingerprints and evidence. The High Court ruled in favour of commuting sentences, citing these procedural concerns.

The Allahabad High Court’s decision underscores the importance of due process in terror-related cases, even while upholding convictions under the Arms Act and related offences.