Patna, April 18 (NationPress) In a landmark ruling, the Nawada Civil Court has imposed life sentences on five individuals in a murder case that has lingered for 21 years, finally delivering long-sought justice for events that transpired in 2005.

The tragic incident unfolded in the village of Mohammadpur, under the Hisua police station's jurisdiction, where a young man named Rakesh Kumar, the son of Dinanath Singh, was fatally shot following a conflict over local street and drainage issues.

A formal complaint was filed at the Hisua police station by Valmiki Singh, which set the legal processes in motion.

This judgment was announced on Saturday (April 18, 2026) by Judge Upendra Kumar in relation to Hisua P.S. Case No. 39/05.

The court held Shashibhushan Sharma, Arun Singh, Aniruddh Singh alias Tuntun, Anil Singh, and Vipin Singh alias Kunal culpable for their actions.

Each of the five convicted individuals has been sentenced to life imprisonment under Sections 302/34 of the IPC, accompanied by a fine of Rs 20,000 each.

Moreover, they received an additional three years’ imprisonment under Section 27 of the Arms Act, along with a fine of Rs 5,000 each. Should they fail to pay these fines, they will face an extra six months in prison for the murder charge and an additional month for the Arms Act violation.

Assistant Public Prosecutor Deepak Kumar and Assistant Prosecutor Navneet Kumar represented the prosecution, effectively arguing the case that led to these convictions.

This verdict concludes a lengthy judicial struggle, underscoring the idea that while justice may be delayed, it is ultimately served. It sends a powerful warning against violent acts stemming from local disputes.

Previously, on January 31, a district court in Darbhanga also sentenced five people to life imprisonment for the Patori massacre that occurred on August 8, 1994, claiming two lives and injuring eight others.

Even after 31 years, the residents of Darbhanga remember the incident with pain.

Witnesses explain that the conflict was not between opposing factions but rather local neighbors, ignited by a land disagreement that unexpectedly escalated into violence.

According to Public Prosecutor Amarendra Narayan Jha, the event took place around 6–7 pm when 10–12 farmers from Patori village were returning home after tending to their cattle.

They paused to water their cattle at Gunsar Pond near the village. At that moment, numerous armed men from Basant village appeared, wielding axes, spears, and firearms, launching an assault on them.