A Bishalgarh court sentenced a man to rigorous life imprisonment for killing his neighbour, Janesh Munda, over a family dispute in November 2023. The convict also received additional imprisonment and fines. The verdict, delivered by Judge Subhra Nath, followed a swift police investigation and the accused’s confession.
The Additional District and Sessions Judge Court in Sepahijala District, Bishalgarh, has handed down a rigorous life imprisonment sentence to a man convicted of murdering his neighbour over a family dispute. The judgment was delivered on Friday by Judge Subhra Nath, marking the end of a case that began with a seemingly routine walk home from work and ended in a brutal killing.
Along with the life term, the court imposed a fine of ₹5,000, with an additional six months’ imprisonment in default of payment. The convict also received an additional three years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹2,000 for related charges, with a further two months’ imprisonment in default.
Incident Rooted in Dispute
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on November 23, 2023. The accused and the victim, identified as Janesh Munda, were returning home together from work when tensions flared. As they reached the Kamalasagar tea garden area, a heated argument broke out between them. The disagreement, reportedly stemming from a long-standing family dispute, quickly escalated into violence.
In a fit of rage, the accused struck Janesh on the head with a brick. The attack proved fatal. The accused then attempted to conceal the crime by dumping Janesh’s body in nearby woods before fleeing the scene.
Investigation and Arrest
The following day, concern arose when Janesh did not return home. His brother-in-law, Marun Uran, lodged a missing diary at the Madhupur Police Station. Police promptly launched an investigation, which was initially led by Sub-Inspector (SI) Deepjyoti Das and later taken over by SI Animesh Das.
Evidence quickly pointed to the accused, who was subsequently arrested. During interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime, detailing the sequence of events that led to Janesh’s death.
The investigation concluded with the submission of a chargesheet to the court, supported by witness testimonies, forensic findings, and the accused’s confession.
Prosecution’s Role
Public Prosecutor Ripon Sarkar presented the case, arguing for the maximum possible punishment given the brutal nature of the crime and the deliberate attempt to dispose of the victim’s body. Sarkar emphasised that the murder was not a spur-of-the-moment altercation but a violent act aggravated by prior animosity.
Judicial Verdict
After hearing arguments from both sides and reviewing the evidence, Judge Subhra Nath pronounced the verdict on Friday. The sentence reflected the court’s strong stance against violent crimes stemming from personal disputes.
The ruling includes:
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Rigorous life imprisonment for the offence of murder.
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Fine of ₹5,000 with an additional six months’ imprisonment if unpaid.
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Additional three years’ rigorous imprisonment with a fine of ₹2,000 for related charges, and a further two months’ imprisonment in default.
Message Against Violent Disputes
The sentencing sends a strong message that disputes—whether familial or otherwise—should never escalate to violence. Law enforcement officials have stressed the importance of community mediation and conflict resolution to prevent similar tragedies.
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The case stands as a reminder of how quickly personal disagreements can spiral out of control, leading to irreversible consequences. The victim’s family, still grieving, expressed relief at the verdict, hoping it would serve as a deterrent to others.
