In Mangaluru, a court has delivered a stern verdict in a shocking double murder case. Jagadeesh VN, the II additional district and sessions judge, sentenced Alphons Saldanha to life imprisonment. The 52-year-old man from Elinje village in Dakshina Kannada district was found guilty of murdering his neighbours.
Details of the Crime and Conviction
Alphons Saldanha killed his neighbour, Vincy alias Vincent D'Souza, who was 49 years old. He also murdered Helen, the 43-year-old wife of Vincy. The court convicted him under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for these brutal acts.
Sentences and Fines Imposed
Along with life imprisonment, the judge ordered Alphons Saldanha to pay a fine of Rs 2 lakh for the murder charges. He received additional sentences for other offences.
- For an offence under Section 341 of the IPC, he must undergo simple imprisonment for one month and pay a fine of Rs 500.
- For an offence under Section 506 of the IPC, he faces simple imprisonment for one year and a fine of Rs 4,500.
All these sentences will run concurrently. This means he serves them at the same time, not one after another.
Compensation for the Victims' Family
The court directed how the fine money should be used. After realising the total fine amount, Rs 5,000 will go to the government. More importantly, Rs one lakh each is ordered as compensation for the children of the deceased couple.
This compensation falls under Section 357 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. It aims to provide some financial support to the orphaned children.
Legal Proceedings and Representation
Public Prosecutor Judith OM Crasta represented the state in this case. The legal process saw some changes in jurisdiction.
Initially, the I additional district and sessions judge Mallikharjun Swami HS heard the case. Later, it was transferred to the II additional district and sessions court. Judge Jagadeesh VN presided over the final hearing and delivered the verdict.
The case highlights the judicial system's response to violent crimes in the region. The life sentence and compensation order reflect the gravity of the offence.
