Bhubaneswar: A court in Paralakhemundi has sentenced 12 persons to life imprisonment for a double murder on suspicion of practicing witchcraft.
Additional sessions judge HP Pattanaik also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on each of the 12 convicts hailing from Muthaguda village in Gajapati district’s Adaba police station area.
According to the prosecution, a village meeting was held near the house of one of the accused, Josua Gamango, at Muthaguda at 5 pm on June 12, 2021. The attendees at the meeting alleged that a fellow villager, Luka Dalabehera, was killing people by practising witchcraft.
Later, the accused called Luka and his son, Anuka Dalabehera, to a field on the outskirts of the village and murdered them brutally.
Following the incident, Luka’s daughter Ludia Gamango lodged a written complaint at Adaba police station. After a thorough investigation, police submitted charge-sheet against the 12 accused.
During trial, the prosecution examined 23 witnesses. The court held the death of both deceased as homicidal and rejected the defence plea of false implication.
The convicted persons were identified as Josua Gamango, Benjamin Gamango, Sanjay Gamango, Abhimanyu Raika, Kandra Gamango alias Janas Gamango, Mikhaiel Gamango, Seto Raika, Jiri alias Jermiya Raika, Abraham Badaraita, Junesh Raita, Kura Raita and Somanath Gamango.
The period of detention of 5 years 3 months and 2 days that has already been undergone by the convicts will be set off against the life sentences.
The Superintendent of Police (Gajapati) has appreciated the efforts of the investigating officers, prosecuting officer and court staff which led to conviction in this heinous double murder case, police said.
Wife’s Killer Convicted
In another judgement, a court in Rayagada district has sentenced a person to life imprisonment for killing his wife in February 2024. The convict was identified as Gurunath Gouda of Bhatipas village in Kashipur police station area.
According to the prosecution, Gouda hacked his wife, Puspa Gouda, with an axe following a dispute on February 5, 2024. The profusely bleeding Puspa was rushed to a hospital at Thuamulrampur, but declared brought dead.