Historic verdict in Indore: Five Ujjain lawyers sentenced for 2009 deadly courtroom attack

Indore(Team Newsbuddy): In a landmark ruling, the Indore District Court has convicted five Ujjain-based lawyers for a brutal 2009 attack on a journalist within the Ujjain court premises, marking the first time such a group of advocates has been collectively sentenced in the region. Four of the accused received seven years of rigorous imprisonment, while a 90-year-old senior lawyer was sentenced to three years, reflecting a significant judicial stand against courtroom violence.
According to advocates Ashok Kumar Sharma and senior counsel Gagan Bajad, the convicted lawyers—Dharmendra Sharma, Shailendra Sharma, Bhavendra Sharma, Purushottam Rai, and 90-year-old Surendra Sharma—were found guilty of a vicious assault on senior journalist Ghanshyam Patel on February 10, 2009. The group faced charges under IPC Section 307/34 (attempt to murder with common intention) for attacking Patel with chairs, sticks, rods, and batons in the Ujjain court complex. The court of Additional Sessions Judge Shree Krishna Dagliya also imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on each convict alongside their prison terms.
The incident stemmed from a prior case where Patel was a complainant against Dharmendra Sharma. On the day of the attack, Patel had come to testify when the accused threatened to kill him. The following day, February 11, 2009, the group ambushed him in the court premises, beating him severely and robbing his revolver, chain, and watch. Patel sustained critical injuries, requiring three days of treatment at Sanjeevani Hospital in Ujjain and 15 days at Gokuldas Hospital in Indore.
The case, initially filed in Ujjain, was transferred to the Indore District Court by the Madhya Pradesh High Court due to the influence wielded by the accused, all practicing lawyers. Even in Indore, Patel faced harassment, with the accused allegedly attempting to obstruct his testimony and seeking judges’ transfers during hearings in Ujjain. The case gained momentum after the Supreme Court intervened, ordering a verdict within six months. Additionally, the Bar Council of India revoked Dharmendra Sharma’s license to practice law following complaints, a decision advocates plan to present to the Supreme Court to prevent any leniency for the convicts.
Speaking at a press conference, advocates Ashok Kumar Sharma, Rajendra Samdani, Rahul Vijayvargiya, Kanishk Sharma, and Vijay Govindani detailed the case, emphasizing its significance in upholding justice. They noted that Dharmendra and Shailendra Sharma are sons of Surendra Sharma, while Bhavendra Sharma and Purushottam Rai were their juniors, highlighting the coordinated nature of the attack.
This verdict sends a strong message about accountability, particularly for legal professionals, and underscores the judiciary’s commitment to protecting witnesses and ensuring justice, even in the face of intimidation. The case’s resolution after 16 years marks a triumph for persistence and judicial integrity in Madhya Pradesh.