A tragic reminder of justice delayed happened when a murder convict died awaiting his appeal hearing, nearly nine years after his conviction, and despite the Supreme Court’s directive to the Bombay High Court for an expedited decision.
The convict, Satish Nafeshing Dulgaj, was serving a life sentence after being found guilty in the 2011 Amboli bar murder case, which claimed the lives of Keenan Sentoz and Ruben Fernandes.
He passed away this week after over 14 years of incarceration, even as his 2016 criminal appeal remained unheard.
Background of the Case
In May 2016, a trial court convicted Jitendra Fakirchand Rana alias Chaina, Satish Nafeshing Dulgaj, Sunil Omprakash Both @ Chota, and Deepak Ishwar Omprakash Piwal for the murder of Keenan and Ruben, who were stabbed after confronting the accused for molesting their female friend.
The horrific incident occurred in October 2011, when a group of friends were attacked outside a Mumbai bar after standing up against the accused’s indecent behavior.
The convicts appealed against their conviction in 2016, and the appeals were admitted by the Bombay High Court in September 2017.
Despite multiple listings and repeated assurances of early hearing, the case was adjourned on numerous dates between 2021 and 2025.
Supreme Court’s Intervention
The Supreme Court of India, noting the long pendency, had in March 2025 directed the Bombay High Court to dispose of the appeal
“most expeditiously, preferably within three months.”
The apex court had earlier declined bail to one of the main convicts, Jitendra Rana alias Chaina, in August 2023, citing the gravity of the offence but emphasizing the need for early hearing.
High Court’s Response and Ongoing Delay
The Division Bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Dr. Neela Gokhale, in their March 25, 2025 order, acknowledged the heavy case load and assured that appeals of long-term inmates would be prioritized. The matter was listed for final hearing on April 30, 2025, at 2:30 p.m.
Subsequent hearings, however, saw further adjournments. On July 2, a Bench of Justices Sarang V. Kotwal and Shyam C. Chandak deferred the matter after the State sought time to appoint a Senior Counsel as Special Public Prosecutor following a request from the victim’s brother.
Though the Court reiterated that the case was “expedited by the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” it was again adjourned “by consent” on August 12, and later listed for November 10, 2025, merely for “directions for fixing date of hearing.”
Tragically, Dulgaj’s death has rendered his appeal likely to abate unless his family chooses to continue it. In another heartbreaking turn, the father of the deceased victim, Ruben Fernandes, also passed away in March 2025, during the pendency of the appeal.
A Bleak Reflection on Delay in Justice
The Murder Convict Dies Awaiting Appeal Hearing story is not just about procedural delay; it highlights the dire consequences of systemic backlog in the criminal justice system.
Despite clear directions from the Supreme Court, the Bombay High Court’s constrained docket and recurring adjournments turned justice into a distant hope for both victims and convicts.
Case and Bench Details
- Trial Conviction Date: 5 May 2016
- Convicts: Jitendra Fakirchand Rana @ Chaina, Satish Nafeshing Dulgaj (deceased), Sunil Omprakash Both @ Chota, Deepak Ishwar Omprakash Piwal
- Victims: Keenan Sentoz and Ruben Fernandes
- Incident Year: 2011
- Appeal Admission: September 2017
- Supreme Court Order Date: 18 March 2025
High Court Benches:
- Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Dr. Neela Gokhale (March 25, 2025 order)
- Justices Sarang V. Kotwal and Shyam C. Chandak (July 2, 2025 order)
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