The Delhi High Court has refused to suspend the conviction of Bihar MLA Raju Kumar Singh, who was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, in a case related to the death of a woman during celebratory firing at a New Year's Eve party.

Justice Manoj Jain said that a “surface-level analysis” of the matter did not show any manifest perversity and palpable error in the appreciation of the evidence, warranting any stay of conviction.

“To make things worse, he does not have clean antecedents. There is long list of cases in which he is found to be involved in. Undoubtedly, in several such cases, he has already been acquitted but it is not a case where he has a clean slate. In view of my foregoing discussion, the present application seeking suspension of order of conviction is dismissed,” the Court said.

Singh was also sentenced to two months' imprisonment under Section 30 of the Arms Act and directed to pay Rs. 25 lakh compensation to the deceased's family. His sentence had already been suspended by the High Court in July this year, however, he subsequently sought suspension of the conviction.

The case relates to the intervening night of December 31, 2018 and January 01, 2019, when a New Year's Eve party was underway at Rose Farm House in city's Mandi Village. The farmhouse belonged to Singh's brother. The deceased woman was attending the party with her husband and daughter.

According to the prosecution, Singh and his security guard were carrying firearms and engaged in celebratory firing. The guard fired twice in the air, while Singh fired four to five rounds.

It was alleged that around four to five minutes later, another round of firing took place, allegedly by Singh alone. Soon thereafter, the woman was found unconscious on the dance floor and was taken to hospital, where she eventually succumbed to the gunshot injury.

Singh was initially chargesheeted under Section 302 of IPC and Section 30 of the Arms Act. He was ultimately convicted under Section 304 Part-II of IPC and Section 30 of the Arms Act.

Seeking suspension of the conviction, Singh's counsel argued that the conviction would attract disqualification under Section 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

It was submitted that Singh was a sitting MLA from Sahebganj, Bihar, with around four years of his term remaining, and that continued operation of the conviction would have consequences for his membership as well as his eligibility to participate in future elections.

The prosecution, however, submitted that the Trial Court had correctly appreciated the evidence and found that Singh alone was firing during the second round.

Rejecting the application, the Court noted that Singh alone was seen using his firearm at the crucial time and that the place where the victim collapsed and the place where he was present were in close proximity.

“It hardly matters whether the bullet hit her directly or the hit was resultant on account of some ricocheting. Fact remains that the injury was a direct consequence of the alleged firing ascribed to appellant,” the Court said.

Further, it said that Singh allegedly was under the influence of liquor and had used firearm and had indulged into celebratory firing, despite knowing fully well the consequences of his such act.

“This Court is also conscious of the fact that three other accused persons were charged for causing disappearance of evidence and though, such charge could not be proved, said aspect is also required to be analyzed comprehensively,” the judge said.

The Court also noted the nature of the offence and Singh's criminal antecedents, while clarifying that the observations were tentative and would not constitute a final expression on the merits of the appeal.