A court in Odisha's Ganjam district has sentenced a 29-year-old man to rigorous life imprisonment for a brutal murder that took place in a Berhampur village last year. The district and sessions court found Biju Behera guilty of killing 55-year-old Juria Bisoi, bringing a legal closure to a case rooted in prior enmity.
The Fatal Attack and Immediate Aftermath
The incident dates back to March 7, 2023. According to the case details, Behera fatally attacked Juria Bisoi with a wooden plank at a community centre in Dengaadar village. The assault was reportedly the culmination of long-standing disputes between the two.
The victim's brother, Rama Bisoi, made the grisly discovery. He found Juria lying unconscious in a pool of blood. Acting swiftly, Rama rushed his brother to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur. Despite these efforts, the attending doctors examined Juria and declared him dead on arrival.
Police Action and Judicial Process
Following the tragic discovery, Rama Bisoi filed a formal complaint at the Sadar police station. The police promptly registered a murder case and, in a quick investigative move, arrested the accused, Biju Behera, on the very same day.
Behera remained in judicial custody from the time of his arrest, as all his petitions for bail were consistently rejected by the court. The trial saw depositions from a total of 15 witnesses. This group included eyewitnesses to the crime, investigating police officers, and medical professionals who provided crucial forensic evidence.
The Court's Verdict and Sentence
After evaluating all the evidence and testimonies, District and Sessions Judge Asant Kumar Das pronounced the verdict. The court held Behera guilty of murder under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
In addition to the life sentence, the judge imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict. Public Prosecutor Biswajit Baral clarified the consequences of non-payment: if Behera fails to pay this fine, he will have to undergo an additional one year of rigorous imprisonment.
The judgment underscores the judiciary's firm stance on violent crimes and delivers a measure of justice to the victim's family after a year-long legal battle.
