Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Baleswar, Jan 31:

The district court here on Friday sentenced a couple to life imprisonment for rape and murder of a 23-year old girl in Odisha’s Baleswar district in 2009 after convicting them in the case.

Courtesy: indiatvnews.com Courtesy: indiatvnews.com

Kalandi Das (45) and his wife Labanya Das (40) were convicted for murdering Swayamlata Dalei (23) of the same village on November 13, 2009 by District judge Satyanarayan Mishra.

The court while awarding life term to Kalandi on the murder charge, sentenced him to an additional 10 years rigorous imprisonment for raping the woman and slapped with a fine of Rs 5,000. In case of default in payment, he would undergo an additional two years imprisonment, the court said in its verdict.

Kalindi’s wife Labanya was awarded life sentence for assisting her husband in the murder by the court.

The court pronounced its verdict based on the statements of 18 witnesses.

The prosecution said on November 13, 2009 afternoon, the victim had gone to a nearby half-constructed temple to fetch drinking water little knowing that Kalandi was waiting for her. The convict, who was married, raped and strangulated her in order to conceal evidence, the prosecution added.

Labanya, his wife, instead of resisting her husband, helped him in killing the woman, according to the prosecution.