Ranchi bar DJ murder: 10 convicted including prime accused Abhishek Singh
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A Ranchi court on Monday, 20 July convicted 10 accused in the murder of DJ Sandeep Pramanik, who was shot dead inside Extreme Bar in Ranchi in the early hours of 26 May 2024. The prime accused, Abhishek Singh alias Vicky, was among those found guilty by the court of Additional Judicial Commissioner Shailendra Kumar at the Ranchi Civil Court. Sentencing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday, with the quantum of punishment to be pronounced the same day.
The Ten Convicted
Those found guilty are: prime accused Abhishek Singh alias Vicky, his father Ashok Kumar Singh, Mohammad Shamiruddin, Prateek, Mrityunjay Kumar, Prakash Kumar, Divakar Upadhyay, Alok Diwa, Pankaj Kumar, and Sumit Kumar. Of the 14 individuals arrested in connection with the case, four were not convicted.
How the Murder Unfolded
According to the prosecution, the sequence of events began late on the night of 26 May 2024, when four to five youths arrived at Extreme Bar near closing time and got into a heated argument and physical altercation with the staff. Seeking revenge, Abhishek Singh allegedly returned to his rented flat in Sail City, retrieved a rifle, and came back to the bar.
He allegedly entered the premises and shot DJ Sandeep Pramanik in the chest at close range, killing him on the spot. Pramanik, a native of neighbouring West Bengal, was employed as a DJ at the establishment. After the shooting, the accused reportedly fired several rounds in the parking area before fleeing in his vehicle.
CCTV Evidence and Police Investigation
The entire sequence of events was captured on the bar's CCTV cameras, providing investigators with critical visual evidence. The then Senior Superintendent of Police and City DSP reached the scene immediately and initiated a scientific probe. Acting on the footage and corroborative evidence, Ranchi police arrested all 14 accused, including Singh, his father, and several associates, and sent them to judicial custody.
Notably, the swift arrest and charge-sheet relied heavily on CCTV footage — a pattern increasingly central to conviction outcomes in urban crime cases in Jharkhand.
What Happens Next
The Ranchi Civil Court will hear sentencing arguments on Tuesday and is expected to pronounce the quantum of punishment on the same day. The conviction of the prime accused along with nine others marks a significant closure in a case that drew widespread attention across Jharkhand and West Bengal, given Pramanik's cross-state background. The sentencing will determine whether any of the convicts face life imprisonment or other penalties under the applicable sections.