Revisiting the Keenan-Reuben Murder of 2011 Ahead of the Verdict

Five years after the open-and-shut murder case of Keenan and Reuben, the verdict will be announced on 5 May 2016.

Keenan Santos and Reuben Fernandes have been awarded for their bravery on the night of 20 October 2011. (Photo: Facebook/ Keenan Santos)

The Incident

On 20 October 2011, Keenan Santos and Reuben Fernandes were dining at Amboli Bar and Restaurant in Mumbai, along with five friends. When they stepped out at 10:30 PM, four drunk men started harassing and molesting the girls. Keenan and Reuben jumped to defend their three girl friends and slapped the men. The agitated men, who allegedly threatened to kill Reuben after their first altercation, came back with 17 other men brandishing knives, bamboo sticks, and daggers. Keenan and Reuben were repeatedly stabbed in front of approximately 50 eyewitnesses, according to Priyanka Fernandes, an eyewitness.

A Legal Timeline: Justice Painfully Delayed

Spread over five years, a look at the important developments in the Keenan-Reuben double murder case. (Infographic: The Quint/Liju Joseph)

People Involved

The Victims: Keenan Santos (24), Reuben Fernandes (29)

The Group of Friends: Keenan Santos, Reuben Fernandes, Priyanka Fernandes (Keenan’s girlfriend), Avinash Solanki (complainant, key eyewitness), Benjamin Fernandes (Reuben’s brother) and two other women

The Accused: Jitendra Rana (25) (prime accused), Sunil Bodh (20), Satish Dulhaj (35) and Deepak Tival (19)

Prosecution Lawyer: Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam

Defense Lawyer: Abdul Wahab Khan

Presiding Judge: Vrushali Joshi, Special Women’s Court judge, Mumbai

Important Facts

• The prosecution has listed 21 eyewitnesses to the incident.

• On 27 February 2013, the prosecution filed an application requesting the case to be transferred under a female judge. On 19 March 2013, the case was moved to a Women’s Court in Mumbai, under Judge Vrushali Joshi.
  
• The accused have been arrested under Sections 302 (murder), 324 (causing hurt by dangerous weapons), 434 (mischief), 509 (word/gesture intended to outrage the modesty of a woman) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
  
• This case has gathered immense public support, especially on social media with groups like Keenan Santos and Zero Tolerance Campaign.
  

Also Read: Keenan-Reuben Murder Case: Sessions Court Adjourns Matter to 5 May

The verdict of the case is to be announced on 5 May 2016. For updates, watch this space.