Bandit queen assassin convicted after 13 years

New Delhi: Sher Singh Rana, the key accused in the 13-year-old murder of bandit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi, was on Friday convicted by a Delhi court, for killing the then Lok Sabha MP. The court acquitted 10 other persons facing tri-al in the case due to lack of evidence.

Immediately after pronouncement of the verdict, Rana, 38, shot back, “Why have you convicted only me. Others were also there.”

The judge said judgement has been passed on the basis of the evidence brought before him and Rana can file an appeal.

The court convicted Rana on the ground that his finger prints were there on the pistol which was used for killing 37-year-old Phoolan, then a Samajwadi Party MP from Mirzapur constituency in Uttar Pradesh, in front of her residence in New Delhi in 2001. Regarding other co-accused, the judge said prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt against them.