Mumbai: Former policeman Pradeep Sharma has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Bombay High Court on Tuesday for his involvement in the fake encounter of Ramnarayan Gupta, an alleged close aide of gangster Chhota Rajan, in Mumbai in 2006.

A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Gauri Godse overturned the sessions court's 2013 judgment acquitting Sharma, describing it as "perverse" and "unsustainable". The court criticized the trial court for overlooking the overwhelming evidence against Sharma, stating that the evidence clearly pointed to his involvement in the case. Sharma has been directed to surrender before the concerned sessions court within three weeks.

Additionally, the high court upheld the conviction and life sentence imposed by the trial court on 13 individuals, including policemen. It also overturned the conviction and life sentence of six other accused, acquitting them of the charges. A total of 22 individuals, including 13 policemen, were charged with the murder. In 2013, the sessions court acquitted Sharma due to a lack of evidence but convicted 21 other accused, sentencing them to life imprisonment. Two of the accused died while in custody.

Both the accused and the prosecution, along with the victim's brother Ramprasad Gupta, filed appeals in the high court against the verdict. Special public prosecutor Rajiv Chavan argued that law enforcement officers involved in the staged murder betrayed their duty to uphold law and order. The prosecution contended that Sharma was the main conspirator and orchestrator of the abduction and murder operation.

On November 11, 2006, Gupta, also known as Lakkhan Bhaiya, was picked up by a police team from Vashi on suspicion of being associated with the Rajan gang. He and his friend Anil Bheda were then killed in a fake encounter near Nana Nani Park in suburban Versova later that same evening.

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