More than 23 years after he was shot and rendered bed-ridden, Dr Rajinder Johar has finally got justice.

Last week, a Lucknow court convicted Dr S B Thakur, who was Johar’s colleague at King George Medical College (now Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj Medical University), and a police gunner, Feroz Khan, for attacking Johar, which left him paralysed below neck.

Special Judge Satish Chandra Singh sentenced both accused to 10 years’ imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each. The third accused, Raj Bahadur Singh — an MLA from Jaunpur — had died a few years ago.

The attack on Johar took place on March 30, 1986 in his residence. While Johar was the then unit head of the occupational therapy department, Thakur was the physiotherapist at the plastic surgery department. Both stayed on rent in the same building in the Chowk area.

Thakur was angry because landlord Jagdish Kapoor wanted to sell the house to Johar — who had in turn told the owner that he was ready to buy if the tenants vacate the building.

Thakur, along with two persons, entered Johar’s house, hurling abuses. One of the intruders whipped out a pistol and shot at Johar—hitting him in the chest. Johar tried to flee bu the man fired again and this time the bullet hit him in the neck. The intruders then fled the spot.

Johar was taken to the hospital where he worked and he was operated on. The doctors told the family that the bullet that hit him in the neck and had damaged his spine. Johar never recovered from this injuryandattheageof 37,hebecame a quadriplegic, totally dependent on others for even his basic needs.

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