16 convicted in 9-year-old murder case, sentenced to life in Bengal's Chanchal

A Chanchal court in West Bengal has sentenced 16 individuals to life imprisonment for their involvement in the murder of Bhavatosh Saha, which occurred nine years ago in Angarmoni village, Harishchandrapur. The victim, a young man, was killed in broad daylight over a land dispute regarding a temple. The court found the accused guilty of premeditated murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. This case had garnered attention due to the involvement of prominent figures, including a Kolkata police officer and a lawyer.

The trial, which spanned several years, led to 19 people being charged, though two of the accused had died during the proceedings. Revati Das, one of the accused, was acquitted. The remaining 16, who were convicted, received life sentences. Additionally, six of them were sentenced to six months of hard labor under Section 143 for their roles in the crime. Others were given one-year prison sentences.

While announcing the verdict, the District Judge described the crime as "barbaric," reflecting the severity of the act. The verdict brought a sense of closure to the family of the victim, who had been waiting for justice since the crime took place. The case serves as a reminder of the legal system's commitment to ensuring accountability for heinous acts, regardless of the accused’s social standing.