Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has acquitted two men who were earlier sentenced to death in a sensational triple murder case that took place in 2017 in Athamallik area under Kishorenagar police limits of Angul district. The High Court cited lack of sufficient evidence and witnesses as the reason for setting them free.

The two accused, Prakash Behera and Nanda Kishore Sethy, had challenged the death sentence awarded to them by the Athamallik Additional District and Sessions Judge Court on September 27, 2024. After hearing their appeal, the High Court pronounced its verdict on Monday, declaring both of them not guilty.

The case pertains to the killing of three members of a family. On October 10, 2017, a man and his son were allegedly kidnapped and murdered, while the mother was killed at their residence.

Following an investigation, police arrested Prakash and Nanda in connection with the crime and filed charges of murder against them. The lower court had found them guilty and given capital punishment.