The killers were also accused in the 2008 murder of television journalist Soumya Vishwanathan.
It has been more than seven years since Information Technology (IT) executive Jigisha Ghosh was found murdered in Surajkund, Haryana.
J N Ghosh, Jigisha's father, enters the courtroom minutes before the judgement is pronounced. He is accompanied by his wife Sabita, along with MK Vishwanathan and Madhvi - parents of murdered TV journalist Soumya Vishwanathan. Both sets of parents have waited more than seven years for this day to arrive.
A Delhi sessions court convicted Amit Shukla, Ravi Kapoor and Baljeet of kidnapping and killing Jigisha Ghosh. "No escape from the conclusion that the crime was committed by the accused persons," Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Yadav announced in an open court.
All three have been held guilty under section 364/302/201/394/468/469/471/34b of the Indian Penal Code. Shukla was further convicted under the relevant sections of the Arms Act.
On hearing the judgment, Jigisha's father sat at the back of the courtroom with a dignified silence with tears rolling down his face while mother Sabita stood near the judge's dais with folded hands - in part thanking the judge for the favourable judgement and in part fervently thanking the almighty.
"The men did not just kill my daughter that night, they killed all three of us," said Sabita, once outside the courtroom. "I haven't slept since my daughter's death," she added. "We are happy we got justice, even though it is late in coming," the father said.
Jigisha, an operations manager with Hewitt Associate Pvt Ltd, was kidnapped on March 18, 2009 after her office cab dropped her near her home in south Delhi's Vasant Vihar, around 4 am. Her dead body was found two days later in Surajkund - almost an hour away (18 kms). Jigisha was robbed off her valuables - her ATM card, gold jewellery, and money.
A week later, her killers were caught after a constable recognised Baljeet from the Close Circuit Television Camera (CCTV) at an ATM in South Delhi. Upon sustained interrogation, it was revealed that all three accused had also murdered television executive Soumya Vishwanathan. Since the revelation, both parents have jointly fought to get the trial to a logical conclusion.
All the three accused and two others are facing trial in the Vishwanathan case under the more stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime (MCOCA) charge. "My daughter's trial is ongoing and suffering many delays. But I am happy the accused were convicted in this case. I feel some sense of justice has prevailed," said Madhvi.
TIMELINE
Mar 18, 2009: Jigisha was abducted by four men in a Santro car little away from her home after she was dropped by her office cab at 4 am.
Mar 20: She was found dead near Surajkund in Faridabad.
Mar 25: Delhi Police nabs suspects four men for their alleged involvement in Jigisha's murder. Cops also solve the murder case of TV journalist Soumya Vishwanathan, who was shot dead on September 30, 2008 while she was returning home by her car from office in the wee hours.
June 2009: Police files charge sheet in court.
Aug 10, 2009: Court fixes August 28 for hearing arguments on charges.
Dec 5, 2009: Court frames charges against three accused in the case.
Apr 15, 2010: Trial begins with recording of testimony of Jigisha's father.
July 5, 2016: Court concludes hearing final arguments, reserves judgement.
July 14: Court convicts three accused for abducting, robbing and murdering Jigisha.
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