Listen To This Post
Chandigarh: In a landmark verdict bringing closure to a chilling crime that haunted Chandigarh for over a decade, a Fast Track Special Court on Friday sentenced 35-year-old taxi driver Monu Kumar to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of 21-year-old MBA student Neha Ahlawat. The court also imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh on the convict.
Neha’s blood-stained body was found on July 30, 2010, in the forest area of Sector 38, Chandigarh — a discovery that had sparked widespread outrage and fear at the time. However, despite early investigations, the police failed to trace the culprit for nearly ten years and officially closed the case in 2020.
Disappearance After Evening Class
According to the complaint lodged by Neha’s father, she left home around 6 pm on July 30, 2010, on her scooter for English-speaking classes in Sector 15. When she did not return home by 9 pm, her family began to panic. Calls to her friends initially led to confusion, as one friend said Neha had never reached her.
Later, another friend informed the family that Neha had visited her briefly around 7.30 pm and had left within 15 minutes. A frantic search followed, but there was no trace of her.
The family’s worst fears were realised when they received a shocking call that her scooter was found abandoned near the Taxi Stand in Sector 38 West with visible bloodstains. Rushing to the spot, they found Neha lying half-naked in nearby bushes, severely injured and soaked in blood. She was immediately taken to PGI, where doctors declared her dead.
Case Went Cold for a Decade
Despite the gravity of the crime, the investigation failed to identify the perpetrator for years. With no concrete leads, the police eventually shut the probe in 2020, leaving the family without justice and the case listed among Chandigarh’s unsolved brutal crimes.
Breakthrough in 2022: Reopened the Case
A significant breakthrough came in 2022, when Monu Kumar was arrested in another rape and murder case of a woman in the same Sector 38 area. During interrogation and forensic analysis, investigators linked him to Neha’s 2010 murder. The cold case was reopened, and fresh evidence sealed his role in the crime.
After prolonged trial proceedings, the Fast Track Special Court on Friday held Monu guilty of rape and murder and awarded him life imprisonment.
Family Gets Justice After Years of Trauma
The verdict has brought long-awaited justice to Neha’s family, who had spent 15 years battling despair, uncertainty and repeated delays. The court’s decision has also been hailed as a reminder that even cold cases can be resolved through sustained investigation and legal perseverance. The conviction serves as a stern warning to criminals and underscores that, though delayed, justice can still prevail.
