Sambalpur: The District & Sessions Judge, Sambalpur, sentenced seven persons to life imprisonment in the September 2021 murder at Padhanpali under Katarbaga police limits.
One accused was acquitted for lack of evidence.
The convicts are Rukmana Padhan alias Rohit, Bhojraj Padhan, Gajraj Padhan, Ashok Padhan, Dushmanta Bhoi alias Ranjit, Bhismajit Bhoi, and Bhismadeb Padhan.
According to the case details, the incident took place on the night of September 16, 2021, around 8 pm near an eatery on PWD Road at Padhanpali. The convicts, armed with axes, machetes and iron rods, assaulted the victim, Prakash Padhan, leading to his death. Another person, Dhananjaya Behera, suffered serious injuries while trying to intervene in the brawl.
The victim’s brother lodged a complaint the following day, following which a case was registered on September 17, 2021, and the charge sheet was submitted on January 12, 2022. After a detailed trial in which the prosecution examined 23 witnesses and the defence examined five, with medical evidence confirming the death as homicidal and caused by multiple sharp weapon injuries, the court delivered its final judgment on March 26.
The seven accused were held guilty of rioting with deadly weapons (Section 148), murder (Section 302), attempt to murder (Section 307), and common object liability (Section 149). They were sentenced to life under section 302 of the IPC. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 each. In default of payment of fine, they will have to undergo additional rigorous imprisonment for two months.
They convicts were also awarded additional sentences – rigorous imprisonment for two years and rigorous imprisonment for 10 years along with a fine of Rs 10,000 each under Sections 148, 307 and 149 IPC. All the sentences will run concurrently.
