Bhubaneswar: In a landmark verdict, the Special SC ST Court in Balasore has sentenced a man to death for the brutal acid attack on his second wife at Bhimapura village in Balasore.
The incident occurred on February 20, 2023 while accused husband Chandan Rana had thrown acid on his second wife Banita Singh and three others over marital dispute. The incident had left Banita with severe burns, and she succumbed to her injuries five days later at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
Rana, a 32-year-old hawker of artificial jewellry, had married Banita despite being already married with children. Banita had left him upon discovering his first marriage and returned to her parents’ home. On the fateful day, Rana arrived at Bhimpura village with acid and threw it at Banita when she refused to reconcile, also targeting her elder sister and two children.
Six others arrested in connection with the case have been acquitted. Rana, the prime accused, was arrested after evading capture, and investigations revealed the attack was pre-planned.
