New Delhi: A criminal case relating to alleged ‘crime of passion’ wherein a man from Orissa was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2007 for killing his uncle with the help of his lover was filed in the Supreme Court in 2008. However, the case is yet sub judice even though nine years have passed.
The trial court, earlier, convicted the accused, Sanjay Behera from the state for killing his uncle and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The verdict was also upheld by the Orissa High Court in 2007.
Later, the matter was challenged in the apex court in 2008 for reconsideration of the sentence. Till now 14 hearings of the case have already been held, but the verdict is yet to be out. The case was filed in 2008, but it was admitted in April 2010.
As per the prosecution, the accused allegedly killed his uncle over a love affair. The crime was allegedly committed by Sanjay and others. Later the matter moved to the court and the killers were sentenced to life by the trial court.
While admitting the matter, the SC granted bail for the accused in 2010. The order passed by the SC in 2010 said, “…bearing in mind that the appellant (Behera) has already undergone almost nine years of actual sentence, we suspend the sentence awarded to him till the disposal of this appeal, subject to furnishing a personal bond in the sum of `5,000 with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial court.”
The apex court listed the case for hearing Tuesday too.
The case came for hearing in a two-bench SC judge comprising Justice NV Ramana and Justice Amitava Roy.
However, the counsel representing Orissa who was absent in the court citing personal reasons had sought adjournment of the case. The court will now hear the matter September 19.
Manish Kumar, OP
