Man gets life term for 2021 murder

Keonjhar: A court on Monday sentenced a 30-year-old man to life imprisonment for a murder committed in 2021.District and sessions judge Gopal Chandra Behera convicted Chasha Dehuri and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on him. Default in payment would add a year’s imprisonment to his jail term.The deceased, Nila Dehury (30) of Kadakala village under Banspal block, was allegedly attacked while grazing cattle on Oct 7, 2021.According to public prosecutor Pradip Kumar Das, Nila was in a forest area with two others when Chasha confronted them over old enmity around 4 pm. He initially assaulted them with the wooden handle of an axe. He then went home, returned with a bow and arrow, and allegedly shot Nila, killing him on the spot. The two others managed to escape.Following a complaint lodged by the victim’s brother, Ramesh Giri, Nayakot police registered a case under Section 302 IPC, arrested the accused and forwarded him to court. Investigating officer Swarnamani Hembram later filed the chargesheet.The court based its verdict on the statements of nine witnesses and the police investigation report. It also directed the District Legal Services Authority to provide compensation to the victim’s legal heirs.