Paralakhemundi,(Tarini Prasad Panda): In a deeply disturbing tale where the sanctity of marriage was shattered by greed and brutality, justice has finally prevailed. In a chilling case of dowry-related violence, a husband who mercilessly ended his wife’s life barely a year after their wedding has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the court.
The accused, Regati Dhanunjaya alias Rakoti Dhanunjaya (38), a resident of Machamara under Gurandi police limits in Gajapati district, had subjected his wife to relentless mental and physical torture over persistent demands for additional dowry. The cruelty reached its tragic crescendo when he strangled her to death using a clutch wire.
Delivering a stern and resolute judgment, the learned Additional District and Sessions Judge, Bishnu Prasad Panda, convicted the accused under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, sentencing him to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 10,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional six months of rigorous imprisonment.
In addition, under Section 498A of the IPC for domestic cruelty, the convict has been awarded three years of rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 5,000, with a further three months of imprisonment in default. For the offence of dowry demand under the relevant legal provision, the court has imposed two years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 2,000, with an additional two months of imprisonment in case of non-payment.
The case was diligently prosecuted by Additional Public Prosecutor Saroj Kumar Rath, as informed by in-charge cadre Public Prosecutor Rajesh Kumar Mishra.
