A sessions court in Mumbai has sentenced artist Chintan Upadhyay to life imprisonment for his role in the December 2015 murders of Hema Upadhyay, his estranged wife, and Haresh Bhambhani, her lawyer. Chintan was also fined Rs 25,000. Three co-accused, Vijay Rajbhar and helpers Pradeep Rajbhar and Shivkumar Rajbhar, were also sentenced to life imprisonment for committing the actual offense of murder and destruction of evidence.

The prosecution has sought the maximum sentence of death against the four convicts. The crime was described as barbaric and calculated, and the court emphasized the need to curb such crimes. Special public prosecutor Vaibhav Bagade argued that the relation between accused and victim should be considered at the time of punishment. Bagade also highlighted that Hema Upadhyay was a renowned artist and Bhambhani was a lawyer, stressing the significance of their roles in society.

Chintan’s lawyer, Raja Thakare, countered the prosecution’s argument, stating that Chintan’s claim of innocence should not be seen as arrogance. Thakare argued against the death penalty, noting that the philosophy around it has evolved and that no circumstances related to the offender were presented to the court. He also emphasized the need to consider the quality of evidence, including reliance on circumstantial evidence.

The murders of Hema Upadhyay and Haresh Bhambhani took place on December 12, 2015. Their bodies were found packed into boxes dumped in a ditch in Kandivli. Chintan was arrested on December 22 that year but was granted bail in September 2021 by the Supreme Court. However, he has now been taken into custody.

The sentencing of Chintan Upadhyay and his co-accused highlights the gravity of the crimes committed and the importance of ensuring justice for the victims. It serves as a reminder that acts of violence and murder will not be tolerated, particularly when they target individuals who play crucial roles in society.