Ex-SP Kuldeep Sharma Sentenced to 3 Months in Jail for 40-Year-Old Assault Case
Bhuj Sessions Court Delivers Verdict in Decades-Old Case
A 40-year-old legal battle has come to an end with the Bhuj Sessions Court sentencing former Superintendent of Police (SP) Kuldeep Sharma to three months in jail. The court found him guilty of physically assaulting and insulting Congress leader Ibhla Seth inside a government office. Alongside Sharma, another accused officer, Girish Vasavada, was also convicted. The other two accused, PSI Bishnoi and BN Chauhan, passed away during the trial.
The 40-Year-Old Assault Incident
The case dates back to an incident that took place at the Kutch district police headquarters, where Congress leader Ibhla Seth was allegedly abused and assaulted by then-SP Kuldeep Sharma. Seth, along with other political figures, including former MLAs Kharashankar Joshi and Jaykumar Sanghvi, had visited the police office concerning a case in Naliya. During the visit, Sharma reportedly used derogatory language against Seth and then ordered his subordinates to assault him physically.
Legal Proceedings and Trial Developments
Following the incident, a complaint was filed in Bhuj’s Chief Judicial Magistrate Court by advocate MB Sardar. The case lingered in court for decades before gaining momentum in recent years. After the demise of the original complainant’s lawyer, advocate RS Gadhvi took over the case.
Over the years, two of the accused officers, BN Chauhan and PSI Bishnoi, passed away, leaving Sharma and Vasavada to face trial. The court completed final hearings on January 28, 2024, and delivered its verdict on February 10, sentencing both surviving accused to three months in jail along with a fine.
Victim’s Family Welcomes the Verdict
Following the court’s decision, the family of Ibhla Seth expressed their satisfaction. His son, Iqbal Mandhara, was present in the court premises and celebrated the verdict by distributing sweets. He remarked that justice had finally been served, even after four decades of legal struggle.
The Argument Against Government Legal Representation for Sharma
During the proceedings, advocate MB Sardar had argued that a government lawyer should not defend a public official accused of wrongdoing. He emphasized that once an officer is accused in a case, they are no longer acting in their official capacity but as an individual facing trial. Accepting this argument, the court required Sharma and Vasavada to hire private legal representation.
Case Closure After 40 Years
With the judgment delivered, a prolonged battle for justice has reached its conclusion. The verdict sets a precedent, demonstrating that even cases delayed for decades can still result in accountability. The ruling has been widely discussed in legal and political circles, underscoring the importance of justice, no matter how long it takes.
