A local court in Ganjam district, Odisha, has sentenced five individuals to life imprisonment for the murder of a businessman during a robbery in Berhampur city in June 2020. The victim, Lambodar Muni, was killed while sleeping in his office godown at Hilpatna when robbers broke in to steal. They took Rs 10 lakhs in cash and 20-25 grams of gold ornaments.
Initially, the district police handled the investigation after the incident was reported on June 14, 2020. However, due to alleged lapses, the case was later filed in the Orissa High Court by the deceased’s son. Following a directive from the Odisha High Court on September 27, 2023, the Crime Branch of Odisha Police took over the case on December 1, 2023.
The police arrested five suspects – Rupesh Padhy alias Shiva Mahakud, Ranjit Sahu alias Naka, Srinu Patra, and Sankar Sahu – in connection with the robbery and murder. Through a procedure leading to discovery, the stolen items were found in possession of the accused and identified by the victim’s family. After examining 41 witnesses and evidence, the court found the accused guilty on January 28, 2026.
The court pronounced the sentencing on Friday, with the prosecution building its case on oral and documentary evidence, including CCTV footage and call records of the accused individuals.
