Big Turn in Shravan Murder Case: Allahabad High Court Grants Bail to Babu Khan, Convicted for Life by CBI Court

In a significant development in the high-profile Shravan Sahu murder case of Lucknow, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has granted bail to Babu Khan, who was earlier sentenced to life imprisonment by a special CBI court.

Why the Bail Was Granted:

The High Court bench, comprising Justice Pankaj Bhatia and Justice Chitraj Shailendra, allowed Babu Khan’s bail on grounds of parity, citing that another accused, Ajay Patel, had already been granted bail on April 21, 2025, due to lack of prima facie evidence. The court noted that no direct evidence had been presented linking Patel to the conspiracy to murder Shravan Sahu — a reasoning that was extended to Khan’s case as well.

Babu Khan had challenged the lower court’s decision, and on June 24, the vacation bench approved his bail petition.

"1000" data-end="1263"> August 22, 2024: A special CBI court had sentenced Babu Khan to life imprisonment and fined him Rs 1.10 lakh for his alleged role in the conspiracy to murder businessman Shravan Sahu.A total of eight people were convicted in the case. Timeline of Events:

• October 16, 2013: A dispute broke out between Ayush Sahu (Shravan's son) and Aqeel Ansari over purchasing beer in a Hazratganj bar. The fight escalated, and Ayush was murdered by Aqeel and his associates.

• Aqeel Ansari was later convicted for Ayush’s murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

• Shravan Sahu, Ayush’s father, became the main witness and fought relentlessly for justice.

• February 1, 2017: Fearing Shravan’s testimony, Aqeel allegedly conspired to kill Shravan. That evening, two bike-borne assailants shot Shravan at his oil shop counter in Lucknow’s Bada Chauraha, Dalmandi.

• Shravan succumbed to his injuries at the trauma center.

• Sunil Sahu, Shravan's other son, filed an FIR accusing Aqeel Ansari of plotting both murders.

CBI Investigation:

• The case was transferred to the CBI, which filed a charge sheet based on:

  • Testimonies of 51 witnesses

  • Over 100 documents

• The CBI court convicted eight accused in 2024, including Babu Khan.

What Next?

The High Court’s decision to grant interim bail to Babu Khan is being viewed as a crucial turning point in this long-running legal battle. Legal experts believe this may pave the way for more bail pleas by other convicts in the case.