Keonjhar: District and sessions court, Keonjhar, on Wednesday sentenced a 30-year-old man to life imprisonment for murdering his wife over a domestic dispute earlier this year.
Judge Ashok Kumar Panda also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on the convict, Sukura Juang of Balidand Sahi village. Failure to pay the fine would result in an additional month of rigorous imprisonment.
According to the prosecution, Sukura killed his wife, Golap (28), by hitting her with an iron rod on March 16. The incident occurred when the couple, who were childless for six years, returned after consulting a traditional healer in Baxibarigaon village.
“The couple got into an argument around 2 pm, following which the accused struck his wife on the head with an iron rod, killing her instantly,” said public prosecutor Pradeep Kumar Das.
Village guard Duryodhan Behera, reported the incident to Pandapada police station. Police recovered the murder weapon and arrested Sukura.
Police filed the chargesheet in the case within three weeks of the incident. “Investigation began on March 16, and the chargesheet was filed on April 6. The trial commenced on June 4, and the verdict was delivered on Wednesday,” Das added.
The judge pronounced his verdict on the basis of the statements of 16 witnesses and police investigation reports. The entire process, from investigation to sentencing, was completed within five months.