A local court of the Additional District and Sessions Judge has held two-time former INLD MLA from Meham, Balbir Singh, alias Bali Pahalwan, and six others guilty in a 15-year-old murder case. All the convicted individuals are residents of Mokhra village. The court will hear arguments on the quantum of sentence on Thursday.
What happened in the 2011 Kalanaur grain market murder case
The case dates back to May 2011, when a clash broke out between two groups at the Kalanaur grain market. According to The Tribune, Vishnu Ram of Nigana village suffered a gunshot injury during the violence and later succumbed to his injuries. Several others were also injured in the clash.
Following the incident, a complaint was filed by a relative of Vishnu Ram. The police registered an FIR against 19 people, including Bali Pahalwan, charging them with murder, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and offences under the Arms Act.
Court conviction details and next steps
The Rohtak court delivered its verdict on Wednesday, convicting the former MLA and six others in connection with the murder. As reported by The Times of India, the conviction relates to the 2011 murder of Vishnu at Kalanaur.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for Thursday, when it will hear arguments on the quantum of sentence for the convicted individuals. The sentencing will determine the punishment for Bali Pahalwan and the six others found guilty in this case.
"Following a complaint by a relative of Vishnu Ram, the police registered an FIR against 19 people, including Bali Pahalwan, charging them with murder, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and offences under the Arms Act." — The Tribune
Who is Bali Pahalwan in this murder conviction case
Balbir Singh, popularly known as Bali Pahalwan, served as a two-time MLA from the Meham constituency on an INLD ticket. His conviction in this case marks a significant legal development, as he was among the 19 people originally named in the FIR. The court has now found him and six others guilty, while the remaining accused were not part of this conviction.
According to Hindustan Times, the former Maham MLA is among seven people convicted in the 2011 murder case. The conviction brings a measure of closure to a case that has been pending for 15 years.
Our Take: Justice delayed but delivered in Meham MLA murder case
To put it plainly, this conviction shows that the legal system can work, even when cases take years to resolve. The 15-year gap between the crime and the conviction is long, but the court has now established guilt in the murder of Vishnu Ram.
What matters now is the sentencing on Thursday. The court must ensure the punishment fits the severity of the crime — a man lost his life in a clash at a grain market, and his family has waited 15 years for this moment. The fact that a former elected representative has been held guilty sends a clear message that no one is above the law.
For the people of Meham and the wider Haryana region, this case serves as a reminder that political office does not shield anyone from accountability. The next hearing will determine the final outcome, and all eyes will be on the court as it decides the sentence.