Overview
- A Bhavnagar sessions court convicted Faisal (alias Khatki Lakhani) for the fatal assault of Kajalben Baraiya and sentenced him to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life, with the verdict delivered on November 5.
- Police say the assault occurred near the public entry gate of the Bhavnagar State Transport bus stand on September 3 and that Baraiya died of injuries the next day after being punched, kicked, and having her head struck against a wall and tiled floor.
- Investigators filed a chargesheet on October 4 and completed the trial and sentencing within roughly 31 days of the chargesheet, a pace officials described as a rapid response to public outrage over the killing.
- Prosecutors presented CCTV footage, on‑site forensic evidence, a post‑mortem report, testimony from 14 witnesses and nearly 50 documentary exhibits, and police say a key eyewitness who had been abducted for three days was recovered and produced in court.
- The case prompted a Special Investigation Team, a state‑appointed special public prosecutor and controversial police measures during reconstruction that drew public attention, and observers should watch for procedural review and any appeal to the higher courts.