Gurugram, Haryana — A local court on Tuesday sentenced two men to life imprisonment for the high-profile ransom murder of 32-year-old software engineer Amit Verma, who was abducted, held for ransom and later killed in June this year. The verdict brings closure to a case that gripped the city and raised concerns over rising violent crime.
According to prosecution records, accused Naveen Kumar and Sanjay Yadav abducted Verma on June 12 near Sohna Road, demanding ₹10 lakh from his family. The victim’s frantic calls for help reached police when family members reported inconsistent ransom negotiations. After receiving half the ransom, the duo strangled Verma and abandoned his body near Manesar Forest on June 15. Investigators recovered the remaining ransom money in the suspects’ possession during their arrest on June 20.
Special Public Prosecutor Anjali Mehta lauded the swift action by Gurugram Police’s Crime Branch, saying, “This judgment underscores our resolve to dismantle criminal networks preying on innocent citizens.” She added that forensic evidence, including call logs and CCTV footage, conclusively placed both men at the abduction and disposal sites.
Defence counsel Rajiv Khanna pleaded for leniency, citing the accused men’s lack of prior criminal history and financial desperation. However, Sessions Judge Vineet Saini held that the calculated nature of the offence and the brutality of the killing warranted the maximum punishment under Section 302 (murder) and Section 364A (kidnapping for ransom) of the Indian Penal Code.
Families of both the victim and the convicts attended the hearing. Verma’s widow, Priya Verma, expressed relief at the sentence: “My husband’s life cannot be returned, but justice has been served. We hope this verdict deters others from such crimes.” Conversely, Naveen Kumar’s mother broke down in court, protesting her son’s “momentary lapse” under dire circumstances.
The court also imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on each convict, directing the amount to a fund for victims of violent crime. Both convicted men have 30 days to appeal the judgment in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
This landmark judgment highlights the efficacy of forensic investigation and inter-departmental police coordination in Haryana, sending a clear message that ransom-fueled violent crime will be met with the full force of the law.
