Balasore: Additional District and Sessions Judge B Gautam Monday convicted a murder accused and sentenced him to life imprisonment along with a penalty of Rs 2,000. The court also ordered a six-month extension of rigorous imprisonment (RI) in case the convict failed to pay the penalty amount. The convict identified as Madha Padhi, who was running an outlet of an Ayurvedic company, allegedly bludgeoned Rajesh Panda, a resident of Kudia village, on the intervening night of March 30 and 31 in 2022. The deceased Panda was engaged as a supervisor in roadside drain construction under a contractor. He had a serious altercation with the convict Padhi, and the latter hit the former’s head with a heavy iron object, leading to his instant death. Although Panda was rushed to the district headquarters hospital, he was declared dead by the doctor.
The accused, Padhi, surrendered before the town police station later. He was tried under Section 302 of the IPC, and the court, after examining 19 witnesses and relevant exhibits, awarded the punishment, Special Public Prosecutor Arabinda Singh said.