A Simdega court has ruled in a case involving the murder of four people, including a young child. The Principal District and Sessions Judge, Rajiv Kumar Sinha, announced the verdict on Wednesday. The primary defendant was given the death penalty, while two others were sentenced to life in prison. Each of the convicts was also fined Rs 20,000. The incident occurred in the Pakartand police station area.
The murders were the result of a dispute over land. On May 17, 2018, at the residence of Rakesh Soreng in Nongarha Gondlipani, Pakartand, a confrontation arose with Punit Soreng, Sanjay Soreng, and Nirmal Soreng. The argument escalated over land ownership. When Nestor Soreng attempted to mediate, he was fatally attacked with a ‘tangi’. The attackers then entered the house, killing Rakesh Soreng, his wife Karmela Soreng, and their five-year-old son Philmon Soreng, also with a ‘tangi’. The police subsequently arrested and jailed the perpetrators.
Following the court proceedings, based on evidence and witness statements provided by Public Prosecutor Amar Chaudhary, the court convicted Sanjay Soreng, Nirmal Soreng, and Punit Soreng. The court sentenced Sanjay Soreng to death, and the other two defendants were given life sentences.