A district court in Aurangabad delivered a significant verdict on Monday, sentencing two men to rigorous life imprisonment for a murder that occurred in 2020. The court imposed this punishment along with a fine of Rs 10,000 each on the convicts.
Court Delivers Verdict After Detailed Trial
The District and Sessions Judge (V) Umesh Prasad pronounced the sentence in cases registered at Tandwa police station. The court found Anand Mehta and Shankar Mehta guilty of murdering Yamuna Mehta, a fellow villager from Budhan Bigha.
Background of the Case
The tragic incident took place on May 10, 2020, following a dispute over the sharing of a tree between the accused and the victim's family. According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by Parmanand Kumar, he and his father Yamuna Mehta visited the accused's house around 8 am to resolve the matter through dialogue.
Instead of a peaceful resolution, the situation turned violent. The accused allegedly attacked Yamuna Mehta with iron rods and sticks, causing his death on the spot. Parmanand Kumar also suffered serious injuries during the assault.
Legal Proceedings and Evidence
The court framed charges against the accused on May 10, 2022. During the trial, the prosecution examined 17 witnesses whose testimonies, along with other material evidence, proved crucial. Additional Public Prosecutor Shivpujan Prajapati represented the prosecution throughout the proceedings.
After a thorough trial, the court convicted both accused on January 6 of this year. The prosecution successfully established the charges beyond reasonable doubt, leading to Monday's sentencing.
Additional Sentences and Custody Status
In addition to life imprisonment for murder, the court sentenced both convicts to one year of jail under Section 323 of the Indian Penal Code. This section deals with punishment for voluntarily causing hurt.
Anand Mehta has remained in judicial custody since the time of the incident. Shankar Mehta was taken into custody and sent to jail after the court cancelled his bail bond following the conviction.
The court's decision marks the conclusion of a legal process that began nearly four years ago, bringing a measure of justice for the victim's family.
