The District and Sessions Court in Keonjhar district of Odisha has handed down a life imprisonment sentence to three individuals in connection with a murder case from 2022. The convicted individuals, namely Uttam Kumar Mahakud, Upendra Kumar Behera, and Nabakishore Mahakud, have also been fined Rs 10,000 each. Failure to pay the fine would result in an additional one-year imprisonment, as per the court’s ruling.
The victim, Mayadhar Behera, aged 48, and the convicted trio were residents of Kadakala village under Nayakote police station area in Keonjhar district. The deceased operated a chicken and egg shop at the Kadakala village market.
According to the Public Prosecutor, on February 26, 2022, Uttam Mahakud visited the victim’s shop around 8 p.m., leading to a heated argument over past issues. Subsequently, Uttam returned with Nabakishore Mahakud and Upendra Behera, armed with dangerous weapons, and brutally assaulted the victim, resulting in his death due to severe injuries and heavy bleeding.
Following a complaint by the victim’s elder brother, the police initiated an investigation, leading to the arrest of Uttam and Upendra the next day, with Nabakishore apprehended on March 22, 2022. After examining evidence and eyewitness statements, the court found the accused guilty and delivered the verdict on Wednesday.
