Bhubaneswar: A court in Odisha’s Paralakhemundi has sentenced 12 people to life imprisonment for the 2021 double murder of a father and son, who were targeted over allegations of practising witchcraft.
Additional Sessions Judge H.P. Pattanaik convicted all 12 accused in connection with the case registered at Adaba police station under Sections 302/34 of the IPC. Each convict was also fined ₹10,000.
According to the prosecution, a village meeting was held at Muthaguda on June 12, 2021, where Luka Dalabehera was allegedly accused of causing deaths in the village through witchcraft.
Luka and his son, Anuka Dalabehera, were subsequently taken to a field near Kusumsahi village and attacked. Anuka’s throat was slit during the assault, resulting in the deaths of both victims.
Following a complaint by Ludia Gamango, the daughter and sister of the deceased, police registered a case and filed a chargesheet against 12 people.
During the trial, the prosecution examined 23 witnesses. The court concluded that the deaths were homicidal and rejected the defence argument of false implication.
The convicts will receive set-off for the 5 years, 3 months and 2 days they have already spent in detention.
The Gajapati SP appreciated the efforts of the investigating officers, prosecution team and court staff in securing the convictions.