Rayagada: A local court here Tuesday sentenced five members of a family to life imprisonment after convicting them of killing a man 11 years ago.
The convicts were identified as P Suriya Rao, P Shankar Rao, P Srinu, P Trinath Rao and P Satyam of the Budurabalsa area in the town. The victim was identified as K Appalanarayana of the locality.
District and Sessions Judge Satyanarayan Sarangi also slapped a penalty of Rs 10,000 on each convict.
Also Read: Cyber fraud gang busted; 10 held
In case of non-payment, they will serve an additional one year in jail, the judge observed while delivering the order.
According to the case records, the accused allegedly launched an organised attack on K Appalanarayana August 9, 2014.
When Gauribabu, an eyewitness, attempted to intervene, Suriya Rao allegedly attacked him as well, leaving him injured.
As locals rushed to the spot, the accused fled the scene.
Residents admitted both Appalanarayana and Gauribabu to the district headquarters hospital in Rayagada.
Because of Appalanarayana’s critical condition, he was shifted to a hospital in Vizianagaram, where he succumbed during treatment.
The victim’s brother, A Ravana, stated in his complaint that the attack stemmed from a dispute related to the Majhighariani Puja and an ensuing fair in the locality.
Rayagada police registered a case-161/2014 and arrested all five accused after investigation. Government advocate Bikram Kumar Kundu prosecuted the case.
