In a landmark judgment, the Additional District Judge of Rayagada, Alpana Swain, sentenced the accused in a 2021 double murder case to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹20,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional one-year jail term.
The incident occurred on December 24, 2021, near Gulumijhola Primary School in Kashipur block. Mukunda Nath Sharma, the headmaster, and his wife Saraswati Nath, a teacher, were brutally attacked and killed by an unidentified assailant near the school premises.
Following a written complaint at Doraguda Police Station (Case No. 185/21), the investigation was initiated by SI Laxmi Parija and later handed over to SDPO Debjyoti Dash. The accused, identified as Gula, was arrested from Dashmantpur village in Koraput district and produced in court.
The court’s verdict was based on compelling evidence and witness testimonies. Government lawyer Ramprasad Patra led the prosecution, ensuring justice was served for the victims and their families.
