In a landmark verdict, five individuals have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of businessman Lambodhar Muni in Berhampur back in 2020.
The case, which involved robbery, murder, and evidence tampering, has finally reached its conclusion after a thorough investigation by the Odisha Police’s Crime Branch, highlighting the persistence of law enforcement in delivering justice.
The incident dates back to June 14, 2020, when Muni’s employee, V. Vinay, discovered the businessman’s body in a pool of blood at his office premises in Mahalaxmi Bhandar under Gosani Nuagaon Police Station. The perpetrators had not only killed Muni but also looted approximately Rs 10 lakh in cash and 20-25 grams of gold ornaments. Initially registered as Berhampur District PS Case No. 87/2020 under sections 458/394/302 of the IPC, the case was later reclassified to sections 460/396/201 IPC to reflect the dacoity and evidence destruction aspects.
The investigation began with the district police but faced scrutiny when Muni’s son approached the Odisha High Court, citing investigative lapses. In response to CRLMP No. 1472/2023, the High Court directed the case to be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Crime Branch. The CID CB re-registered it as Case No. 16 dated December 1, 2023, and conducted a meticulous probe.
Key breakthroughs included the recovery of the stolen gold ornaments, cash, and other items from the accused, which were identified by Muni’s family during a Test Identification Parade. Investigators went to great lengths to analyse CCTV footage, examining the DVR at three forensic labs in India before sending it to the original equipment manufacturer in The Netherlands for expert recovery. Mobile Call Detail Records (CDRs) of the accused further corroborated their involvement. The prosecution examined 41 witnesses, relying on oral testimonies, documentary evidence, CCTV footage, and technical data to build an airtight case.
The trial, held as Sessions Trial Nos. 82/2021 and 111/2023 in the Court of the 3rd Additional District and Sessions Judge, Berhampur, culminated on January 28, 2026, with Judge B. Goutam convicting all five accused under sections 460 (house-trespass or house-breaking by night), 396 (dacoity with murder), and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the IPC.
The convicts, identified as:
- Rupesh Kumar Padhi alias Lala alias Rajesh (27), from Nehru Nagar, Berhampur.
- Srinu Patra (20), originally from Kandhamal, residing in Berhampur.
- Shiba Mahakud (27), from Nehru Nagar, Berhampur.
- Ranjit Sahu alias Naka (26), from Digapahandi, residing in Berhampur.
- Sankar Sahu (24), from Nehru Nagar, Berhampur.
Each convict was sentenced to life imprisonment with a Rs 5,000 fine (or four months’ additional rigorous imprisonment in default), 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment with a Rs 5,000 fine (or four months’ default); and five years’ rigorous imprisonment with a Rs 3,000 fine (or two months’ default) under section 201 IPC.
The investigation was led by DSP Ashutosh Mishra of CID CB, building on initial work by then-IIC Sumeet Soren of Gosani Nuagaon PS. Prosecution was handled by Bikram Kund (initially), Biswajit Barala, and guided by Debasish Mahakud of CID CB.
