Two sentenced to life for murder of elderly man in Bankura over family dispute

Rabindranath Mondal, a 65-year-old man from Churamunipur village in Bankura, West Bengal, was murdered in 2018, following a violent attack by his relatives. The Bankura District Court has sentenced two of the accused, Raghunath and Somnath Mondal, to life imprisonment for their roles in the crime. The attack was the culmination of a longstanding family dispute between Rabindranath and his brother Gopal Mondal’s family.

On the day of the incident, Rabindranath was traveling to a nearby field where laborers were working, carrying food for them. As he made his way across the field, he was ambushed by his brother Gopal, and Gopal’s two sons, Raghunath and Somnath. Armed with a hoe and sticks, the trio reportedly attacked Rabindranath, striking him multiple times. The victim collapsed to the ground, and the assailants left him severely injured. Locals who found Rabindranath in a bloodied state rushed him to the Onda Super Specialty Hospital, where he was declared dead due to the severity of his injuries.

Following the murder, the police launched an investigation and arrested Gopal, Raghunath, and Somnath Mondal. Gopal Mondal died in custody before the trial commenced. The trial proceeded against Raghunath and Somnath, who were charged with murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The prosecution presented evidence including testimonies from 23 witnesses and the weapons used in the attack. The two accused were accused of premeditated murder, having attacked Rabindranath in a planned manner.

The court convicted Raghunath and Somnath Mondal on charges of murder under Section 302 and Section 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. The two men were sentenced to life imprisonment and fined 50,000 rupees each. In the event that they do not pay the fine, they will serve an additional six months in prison. The case has drawn attention to the dangers of unresolved family disputes escalating into violence. The family of the deceased expressed their dissatisfaction with the sentence, arguing that the punishment was insufficient for the brutal nature of the crime.