17 get life term for killing couple over 'sorcery' in Odisha

KENDRAPADA: The additional district and sessions judge of Jajpur sentenced 17 tribals to life imprisonment on Thursday for burning alive a couple after branding them as witches and blaming them for the untimely death of some villagers three years back.

Saila Balmuch (65) and his wife Basanti Balmuch (60) of Surisahi village under Kalinganagar police station were burnt alive on July 7, 2020, by some villagers on suspicion of practising sorcery in the tribal-dominated village. The killers suspected that around five youths had died owing to the black magic performed by the couple. Police arrested 17 people for their involvement in the murder.

Pronouncing the verdict in the case, additional district and sessions judge Hrusikesh Acharya convicted the 17 under Sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence) 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house) and 34 (common intention) the IPC and under Section 4 of Odisha Prevention of Witch-hunting Act, 2013, for killing the couple. The court also imposed a fine Rs 10,000 on each convict.