Berhampur: A local court on Wednesday convicted four persons for killing two BJD leaders over political rivalry in Odisha's Ganjam district three years back. 

The Additional District Magistrate (ADJ-3) awarded life imprisonment to Budu Das, Kuna Gouda, Prasant Gouda and B Debraj Gouda after holding them guilty of murder of Sudarshan Suara (53) and Sudhir Patra (50) in Digapahandi during rural elections in 2022. The judgement was pronounced after recording statements of 28 witnesses. Additional public prosecutor Rajat Kumar Das informed that five others were acquitted by the court for lack of evidence. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 30,000 each on the convicts, which would attract additional 10 months of jail in case of non-payment, he said.

On April 23, 2022, the BJD leaders had been fatally attacked over panchayat poll outcomes, near Soura Pahada in Chasanimakhandi village while returning from a party meeting in Bhismagiri. The duo had later succumbed to stab injuries. Following the incident, police had arrested nine persons for their alleged involvement. 

Sources said the main accused Prasant Gouda had hired three assasins to murder the duo, holding them responsible for his wife's defeat in the sarpanch election in Nimakandi panchayat. He had reportedly given a contract of Rs 50,000 to the killers and paid Rs 30,000 in advance to execute the murders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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