Bhavnagar, November 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A court in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district has sentenced Faisal alias Khatki Lakhani to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life for the murder of Kajalben Baraiya. The trial was completed within 31 days, police said on Thursday.
Lakhani was convicted of murdering Baraiya near the public entry gate of the Bhavnagar State Transport (ST) bus stand on September 3. The sentence was pronounced on November 5, according to Nilambaug police.
Police said Lakhani, a native of Vartej who lived on a footpath near the bus stand, allegedly attacked Baraiya to establish his dominance in the area. He reportedly abused her, repeatedly kicked and punched her, grabbed her by the hair and smashed her head against a wall and tiled floor, causing fatal injuries.
A case was registered at Nilambaug police station on September 4. Given the seriousness of the crime, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed on the instructions of Range Inspector General of Police Rajendra Asari, under the supervision of Bhavnagar Superintendent of Police Nitesh Pandey and Deputy Superintendent of Police R.R. Singhal.
The SIT examined eyewitnesses, recorded their statements before a magistrate under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), analysed CCTV footage with forensic assistance and collected evidence from the crime scene. A post-mortem examination at Sir-T Hospital established the cause of death.
Police submitted the chargesheet before the court on October 4. The state government appointed senior advocate Utpal Dave as special public prosecutor. The prosecution relied on statements from the complainant, eyewitnesses and panch witnesses, along with other investigation evidence.
Police also said the accused had allegedly arranged the kidnapping of an eyewitness, an important prosecution witness, to prevent him from testifying. The witness was allegedly held captive for three days. A separate case was registered, and police ensured that he appeared before the court to give evidence.
Officials said the court found the charges proved beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced Lakhani to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life. According to Bhavnagar Police, this is the first case in the district in which a trial was completed and an accused sentenced within 31 days.
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