Post News Network
Angul, Feb 16: A local court Monday handed down life imprisonment to a man and imposed a penalty of Rs 5,000 on him after convicting him of rape bid on a widow and subsequently killing her mother in Kampla under Athamallik police limits in this district.
In default of the fine, convict Himanshu Mahakur has to serve an additional six months of imprisonment, district and sessions judge Malaya Ranjan Das ruled.
The judge passed the order after examining the police chargesheet and statements recorded by 15 witnesses including that of the investigating officer and a doctor.
According to the case diary, Mamata (name changed), after the death of her husband, was staying with her mother along with her two kids. The incident occurred July 21, 2012 when Mamata was watching television along with her kids while her mother had gone to a nearby place. Himanshu reached the house and tried to rape the widow without caring for the presence of the kids. As she raised an alarm her niece in the neighbourhood ran to her rescue. But, Himanshu was so violent in his motive that he thrashed her and snatched away a gold necklace which she was wearing.
Hearing their screams, Mamata’s mother, who was nearby, rushed inside and fought with the accused to save her daughter. Enraged, Himanshu picked up a lathi and gave a sharp blow on the elderly woman’s head. Profusely bleeding, she dropped dead on the spot and Himanshu fled the scene.
Later, Mamata lodged a complaint at Athamallik police station, who
arrested Himanshu and registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Public prosecutor Mahindra Bastia pleaded the matter on behalf of the state government.
