Bhubaneswar: In a landmark judgment, the Court of the Additional Sessions Judge, Paralakhemundi has convicted 12 persons for a double murder committed on suspicion of witchcraft and sentenced them to life imprisonment.
Additional Sessions Judge H.P. Pattanaik convicted all the accused in Sessions Trial No. 57 of 2021 arising out of Adaba Police Station Case under Section 302/34 IPC and sentenced them to imprisonment for life with a fine of Rs 10,000 each.
As per the prosecution, on June 12, 2021 at about 5 pm, a village meeting was held near the house of accused Josua Gamango at Muthaguda village under Adaba police station limits where it was decided that Luka Dalabehera was killing villagers by practising witchcraft.
Later, Luka Dalabehera and his son Anuka Dalabehera were called to Kusumsahi village field on the outskirts and brutally murdered. The throat of Anuka Dalabehera was slit.On the written report of Ludia Gamango, daughter and sister of the deceased, Adava police registered the case and after thorough investigation submitted charge-sheet against 12 accused persons.
During trial, the prosecution examined 23 witnesses. The court held the death of both deceased as homicidal and rejected the defence plea of false implication.
The convicted persons have been identified as Josua Gamango, Benjamin Gamango, Sanjay Gamango, Abhimanyu Raika, Kandra Gamango alias Janas Gamango, Mikhaiel Gamango, Seto Raika, Jiri alias Jermiya Raika, Abraham Badaraita, Junesh Raita, Kura Raita and Somanath Gamango, all residents of Muthaguda village under Adava police station. All have been sentenced to undergo life imprisonment.
The period of detention already undergone of 5 years 3 months and 2 days will be set off. The Superintendent of Police, Gajapati has appreciated the efforts of the investigating officers, prosecuting officer and court staff which led to conviction in this heinous double murder case.
