Bhubaneswar: A District and Sessions Court in Keonjhar district on Wednesday sentenced three persons to life imprisonment in connection with a 2022 murder case.
The convicts — Uttam Kumar Mahakud, Upendra Kumar Behera, and Nabakishore Mahakud — were also directed to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 each. The court ordered that failure to pay the fine would result in an additional one-year term of imprisonment.
The case pertains to the murder of Mayadhar Behera (48), a resident of Kadakala village under Nayakote police limits. Behera owned a chicken and egg shop in the local market.
According to Public Prosecutor Pradeep Kumar Das, the incident occurred on the night of February 26, 2022. Uttam Mahakud had visited the victim’s shop around 8 pm, leading to a heated argument over past disputes. He later returned with the other two accused.
“The trio, carrying weapons, attacked the victim at his shop. He sustained multiple grievous injuries and died on the spot due to excessive bleeding,” the prosecutor said.
Investigators found that Upendra Behera, who also operated a chicken shop in the same market, had longstanding enmity with the victim.
After committing the crime, the accused fled the scene, leaving behind the victim’s body. Police registered a case based on a complaint filed by the victim’s elder brother and launched an investigation.
Uttam Mahakud and Upendra Behera were arrested the following day, while Nabakishore Mahakud, who had absconded, was apprehended from a hideout on March 22, 2022.
Following a detailed trial and examination of witness testimonies and evidence, the court found all three accused guilty and pronounced the sentence.
