Just a year after additional district judge Uttam Anand was killed after being run over by an autorickshaw in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court today convicted two accused in the case.

The two accused – now convicts –were: Lakhan Verma and Rahul Verma were held guilty of murder, as well as the destruction of evidence.

"The special CBI court judge Rajnikant Pathak has held the two accused guilty under Sections 302, 201, and 34 of the IPC. The court has fixed August 6 to decide on the quantum of punishment," said defence counsel Kumar Bimlendu.

While Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) pertains to murder, 201 is for the destruction of evidence, and 34 is for ‘acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention.

During the trial, one eye- witness Shrawan Kumar’s statement turned crucial. The court appears to have relied on CFSL report which said that both accused were not under intoxication during the act.

Notably, the quantum of punishment will be declared by the court on August 6.

On July 28, 2021, judge Uttam Anand was mowed down while he was out for a morning jog. Taking into consideration the sensitivity of the case, the Jharkhand government promptly requested the CBI to take over the case.