A Chandigarh court on Wednesday acquitted notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in the 2019 murder case of city-based property dealer Sonu Shah, bringing partial closure to a case that had gripped the region for nearly seven years. While Bishnoi walked free due to lack of evidence, the court convicted three other accused — Rajan alias Jaat, Manjit, and Shubham Prajaptai. The sentencing will be pronounced on February 20.
The case dates back to September 28, 2019, when Sonu Shah was allegedly gunned down inside his office at Burail village in Sector 45, Chandigarh. According to investigators, armed men barged into his workplace and opened fire. Two of Shah’s associates, Joginder Phelwan and Rommy, were injured during the attack. The incident sent shockwaves through the city’s business community and triggered a high-profile investigation.
Police had claimed that the murder was carried out at the behest of Lawrence Bishnoi, alleging it was part of a larger criminal conspiracy. The court had framed charges under Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC, along with Section 25 of the Arms Act.
However, during the course of the trial, the prosecution failed to present conclusive evidence linking Bishnoi directly to the conspiracy. The court observed that suspicion alone cannot substitute for proof, leading to his acquittal along with five other accused. Legal experts say the judgment highlights the challenges investigators face in establishing conspiracy charges when the alleged mastermind is not physically present at the crime scene.
The three convicted men now await their fate as the court prepares to announce the quantum of sentence. Depending on the court’s decision, they could face life imprisonment or other severe penalties under the law.
Lawrence Bishnoi has previously secured acquittals in other cases, including an extortion matter and an Arms Act case, due to insufficient evidence. Despite this latest relief, he continues to face trial in multiple serious cases, including the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, which remains under judicial scrutiny.
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The 2019 killing had cast a shadow over Chandigarh’s property market and intensified concerns about organized crime networks operating in the region. While the acquittal may raise fresh debate, the conviction of the three shooters underscores the court’s reliance on evidence-based prosecution.
As the city waits for the sentencing on February 20, the case serves as a reminder of the long and complex journey toward justice in high-profile criminal trials.