Life sentences for murder: Court sentences four to life imprisonment for murder; Dispute escalated into fatal violence over prayer room construction

Koderma: The court of additional district and sessions judge I, Ghulam Haider, on Wednesday sentenced four individuals, including a minor, to life imprisonment with hard labour for murder in 2023.The convicts are Manoj Mehta, Pappu Mehta, Pankaj Mehta, and the fourth one is a minor. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on each, with an additional two years of imprisonment if they fail to pay.The court also handed over sentences under Sections 506 and 323 of the IPC for criminal intimidation and voluntarily causing hurt. For these charges, the accused received one year and six months of imprisonment respectively, along with smaller fines.

All sentences will run concurrently. The minor has been shifted to a special home. The case dates back to May 7, 2023, when a dispute over the construction of a prayer room escalated into violence.

According to the complaint filed by Yamuna Mehta, husband of the deceased, at the Nawalsahi police station, the accused formed an armed mob and stormed the complainant’s residence. During the attack, the victim, Darshani Devi, was struck on the head with a hammer. She was rushed to Rims but ultimately succumbed to her injuries.