The Additional District and Sessions Judge in Angul, Odisha, on Saturday sentenced a man and his two sons to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of Lalit Sahu in 2022.
The convicted individuals, identified as Bijay Sahu and his sons Pintu Sahu and Dusmanta Sahu, were also fined ₹10,000 each, with an additional six months of imprisonment in case of non-payment.
The incident, which shocked the residents of Ankul Nuasahi village under the Angul Sadar police station, stemmed from a minor altercation on May 23, 2022. Lalit Sahu had visited Dusmanta Sahu’s shop to purchase cigarettes, but a refusal led to a heated argument and physical scuffle. After returning home, Lalit was ambushed by Dusmanta, Pintu, their father Bijay, and a few female family members armed with sticks and lethal weapons. Finding Lalit alone, the group attacked him mercilessly. Pintu Sahu struck Lalit’s neck with a sharp weapon, while Dusmanta and Bijay crushed his head with stones, leaving him unconscious and bleeding profusely. Believing him dead, the assailants fled the scene.
Lalit’s family rushed him to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Following a complaint lodged by Lalit’s brother, Sanjay Sahu, the police registered a case under Sections 302/34 of the Indian Penal Code and arrested the accused. The trial, presided over by Judge Hrishikesh Acharya, relied on the testimony of 18 witnesses and substantial evidence, leading to the conviction of the trio.
The prosecution, led by Additional Public Prosecutor Tapas Ranjan Mishra, successfully argued the case, ensuring justice for Lalit Sahu’s family.
