Ex-MP Dhananjay Singh Acquitted in 15-Year-Old Double Murder Case

Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, Jul 3 (PTI) — A special court in Jaunpur has acquitted former Member of Parliament, Dhananjay Singh, in a double murder case that dates back 15 years. Special Judge (MP-MLA court) Sadiq Siddiqui delivered the judgment, declaring Singh not guilty after considering the arguments and evidence presented. The double murder case traces back to April 1, 2010, when Sanjay Nishad and Nandlal Nishad were shot dead at Belawa Ghat in the Kerakat police station area, reportedly over a contract dispute. At the time of the incident, Dhananjay Singh was a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP, and he, along with Ashutosh Singh, Puneet Singh, and two others, were accused of the crime. Although the initial police investigation acquitted the accused, a later chargesheet by CBCID implicated them, leading to a court hearing. The case initially proceeded in the court of Additional District Judge M P Singh before being transferred to the special MP-MLA court.

In 2024, Dhananjay Singh faced legal troubles again with brief imprisonment over allegations of extortion and kidnapping but was subsequently granted bail by the Allahabad High Court. Singh's political career began in 2002 when he contested the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections as an independent candidate, winning from the Rari (now Malhani) constituency in Jaunpur district. He retained his seat in 2007 as a Janata Dal (United) candidate before joining BSP, serving as an MP from 2009 to 2014.