Dhenkanal: The Dhenkanal District Sessions Judge’s Court on Friday pronounced the long-awaited verdict in the high-profile Salman Rout murder case of Tarabha village in Dhenkanal district, sentencing eight accused to life imprisonment and imposing a fine of ₹20,000 each.
Out of the 15 individuals originally chargesheeted in the case, one accused had died during the trial, while six others were acquitted due to lack of evidence.
The case pertains to the murder of BJP youth leader Salman Rout from Tarabha village under Dhenkanal Sadar Police Station, which occurred during the three-tier panchayat elections in February 2017. Rout was shot dead amid tensions surrounding the sarpanch election in Tarabha Panchayat, sparking widespread outrage across Odisha at the time.
According to the judgment, those sentenced to life imprisonment include then sarpanch candidate Kulmani Rout, Samiti member Hrudananda Biswal of Sankulei Panchayat, Byamakesh Biswal, Trayambak Biswal, Mrityunjay Biswal, Samarendra Biswal, Manoranjan Biswal, and Debendra Swain.
The case was prosecuted on behalf of the state by the public prosecutor, who confirmed that the court found sufficient evidence against the eight convicted individuals.
The murder of Salman Rout had triggered intense political and public debate in 2017, with demands for swift justice and stronger law enforcement measures during local body elections.
