Why Did an Odisha Court Sentence Five to Life Imprisonment in a Murder Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Five family members sentenced to life imprisonment.
- Violent murder linked to ongoing family disputes.
- Incident occurred in a slum area of Bhubaneswar.
- Evidence included witness testimonies and documents.
- Convicts executed a premeditated plan for revenge.
Bhubaneswar, May 20 (NationPress) A local court in Odisha's Bhubaneswar has, on Tuesday, sentenced five family members to rigorous life imprisonment in connection with a murder case that occurred in a city slum in May 2023.
The individuals convicted by the court are identified as Sujit Nayak, his brother Ajit Nayak, nephews Bishal Nayak and Tikili Nayak, along with their brother-in-law Subash Nayak from the GED slum located in the Unit-I area of Bhubaneswar.
Reportedly, there had been ongoing disputes between the families of the deceased Sushant Nayak and the convicts, frequently escalating into confrontations over trivial matters, including accusations regarding the release of drain water by Sushant’s family onto the property of the convicts.
Additionally, a complaint had been lodged with local authorities by Sushant against one of the convicts, Bishal, for inappropriate behavior towards Sushant’s niece on April 25, 2023.
Prior to the tragic murder, a case was also filed against Sushant’s brother for attacking Sujit’s sister with a sharp object.
Motivated by resentment over this prior assault, Sujit’s family plotted their revenge against Sushant’s family.
Sushant’s wife was employed by Jagruti, a private sanitation firm with a contract from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). On May 24, 2023, after dropping his wife at her workplace, Sushant was ambushed while returning home during the early hours. The convicts attacked him with swords and other sharp weapons near the slum.
They fled the scene, leaving Sushant severely injured. Sujit later surrendered to the authorities while the police arrested the other suspects from their hideout in the Kandhamal district following extensive searches a few days post-incident.
After evaluating 18 witness accounts, 16 exhibits, and 39 pieces of documentary evidence, the court delivered its verdict on Tuesday, declaring the accused guilty of Sushant's murder.