Bhubaneswar: A court in Bhubaneswar sentenced three persons to life imprisonment in connection with the murder of a youth whose body parts were found near Nathapur Ghat of the Daya River in 2014.
Pronouncing the final verdict in the sensational case, Additional District Judge Himanshu Sekhar Mallick convicted Sanjay Khuntia, Bharat Sahu and Sagar Prusti, awarding life term for them. The three were convicted for the murder of Sonu alias Kritibas Parija in Sarkantara area.
According to the prosecution, the trio had kidnapped Sonu Parija and killed him in a brutal manner. His body was cut into pieces, packed in black polythene bags and disposed of to destroy evidence. Shockingly, the victim’s skull was cut into five parts and thrown into the Daya river.
The gruesome murder came to light on November 4, 2014, when five fragments of a human skull were recovered from the Nathpur stretch of the Daya river. Police launched an investigation based on the remains, and the victim was later identified as Kritibas Parija through DNA testing of his parents.
Subsequently, Dhauli Police registered a case on November 21, 2014, and began a detailed probe. The case drew the attention of the Special Squad, which conducted a thorough probe before apprehending the three perpetrators.
During the trial, the prosecution examined 28 witnesses, produced 34 documents and presented four material exhibits.
After examining the evidence and testimonies, the court found all three accused guilty and sentenced them to life imprisonment.
