Court Sentences Dubey and Associate to Life Imprisonment
Lucknow, August 28 — A Farrukhabad court on Wednesday sentenced gangster-politician Anupam Dubey and his aide Balkishan alias Shishu to life imprisonment in the 1995 daylight murder of PWD contractor Shamim.
The verdict, delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge Tarun Kumar Singh, also imposed a fine of ₹1.03 lakh each on the convicts. The judgment brings closure to a nearly three-decade-old case that shocked Uttar Pradesh with its brazenness.
Shamim was shot dead in a crowded market on July 26, 1995, triggering panic in Farrukhabad. The case was lodged at Kotwali Fatehgarh police station on the complaint of Naseem, Shamim’s brother.
Two other accused died during the prolonged trial, leaving Dubey and Balkishan as the surviving defendants.
A Trail of Violence and Revenge
According to police, the killing of Shamim was part of Anupam Dubey’s revenge spree. His father, Mahesh Dubey, had been lynched by a mob after his vehicle ran over a child in 1995.
Superintendent of Police Farrukhabad Arti Singh explained that Dubey, who was also injured in the incident, believed Shamim was part of the mob that attacked his father. Driven by vengeance, he ordered Shamim’s murder in broad daylight.
In the same year, Dubey also killed Gursahaiganj SHO Ram Niwas Yadav, accusing the officer of failing to save his father during the mob attack. For Yadav’s murder, Dubey was already sentenced to life imprisonment in 2023.
Long Criminal Record and Political Ambitions
Police records show that Dubey has been active in the underworld since 1987, amassing a criminal history spanning nearly four decades.
He faces 65 cases across Uttar Pradesh, ranging from murder, dacoity, extortion, and land grabbing to fraud and ransom. His gang, officially registered as Gang D-47, has been on police watchlists for years, with history sheets opened for each member.
In 2021, authorities slapped the National Security Act (NSA) on him due to his continued criminal influence. Despite his notoriety, Dubey also tried to establish a political career.
He contested the 2012 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections as an independent candidate from Farrukhabad and again in 2017 from Sawayazpur (Hardoi) on a BSP ticket. Both attempts ended unsuccessfully.
Arrests and Trial Developments
In July 2021, Dubey surrendered in connection with Shamim’s murder after years of evading justice. At the time, he was already lodged in Mathura jail in other cases.
The police Special Task Force and local intelligence units had closely monitored his activities, given his reputation as a state-identified mafia leader.
Over the years, the prosecution gathered evidence linking Dubey to the Shamim murder case, supported by witness testimonies and forensic records. The trial faced delays due to the death of co-accused and Dubey’s multiple ongoing cases.
Finally, on August 28, 2024, the court pronounced the long-awaited verdict, sentencing Dubey and Balkishan to life imprisonment.
Significance of the Verdict
The conviction of Anupam Dubey is being seen as part of Uttar Pradesh’s broader crackdown on mafia-politicians. The Yogi Adityanath-led government has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to breaking the nexus between crime and politics.
Legal experts say the judgment reaffirms that no individual, regardless of political aspirations or muscle power, is above the law.
Police officials also highlighted that Shamim’s murder was not just a personal vendetta but a symbol of how gangsters once operated with impunity in UP markets and towns. The verdict, they added, will strengthen public faith in the justice system.
What Lies Ahead
Even though Dubey is now facing two life terms, his influence within his home district remains a concern for authorities. With dozens of cases still pending, his legal battles are far from over.
The Farrukhabad verdict adds to a series of recent rulings that underline the judiciary’s intent to deliver justice in long-pending criminal cases involving gangsters and political figures.