Patna, Aug 1 (IANS) A special MP-MLA court in Begusarai on Saturday sentenced former Bihar Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma and her husband, Chandrashekhar Verma, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in a nearly eight-year-old illegal ammunition case.
Following the verdict, both were taken into judicial custody and sent to Begusarai Divisional Jail.
District and Sessions Judge-II-cum-Special Judge (MP-MLA) Brajesh Kumar Singh convicted the couple under provisions of the Arms Act.
Under Section 25(1-A) of the Arms Act, the court sentenced each of them to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000.
In case of default in payment, they will have to undergo an additional year in prison.
The court also awarded five years of rigorous imprisonment and a Rs 40,000 fine under Section 26 of the Arms Act.
Failure to pay the fine would attract an additional 10 months of imprisonment.
However, the sentences under both sections will run concurrently, making seven years the effective prison term.
The case dates back to August 16, 2018, when the CBI conducted a search at Manju Verma’s residence in Shripur Arjun Tola under the Cheria Bariyarpur police station area during its investigation into the Muzaffarpur shelter home case.
During the search, investigators recovered 50 live cartridges from a steel trunk inside the house. The ammunition included 15 rounds of .32 bore, 10 rounds of 8mm bore, 19 rounds of 7.62 bore, and 6 rounds of .303 bore.
Following the recovery, Case No. 143/2018 was registered at Cheria Bariyarpur police station based on a complaint submitted by CBI Deputy Superintendent of Police Umesh Kumar.
The FIR invoked Sections 25(1-B)(a), 26 and 35 of the Arms Act.
During the trial, Additional Public Prosecutor Ram Prakash Yadav represented the prosecution, which examined eight witnesses to establish the allegations.
The defence was represented by senior advocates Vijay Kumar Maharaj and Lalan Mahto.
After considering the evidence and arguments presented by both sides, the court found Manju Verma and Chandrashekhar Verma guilty and pronounced the sentence.
Following the sentencing, Manju Verma’s lawyer submitted an application citing her health condition.
After hearing the plea, the court directed the Superintendent of Begusarai Divisional Jail to ensure that she receives appropriate medical treatment.
With the verdict, both the former minister and her husband have been sent to jail.
However, they retain the legal right to challenge the conviction and sentence before a higher court.
The case could therefore now move to the Patna High Court on appeal.
–IANS
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