After a gap of eight long years, justice was finally delivered when the Session Judge Imphal West, A Guneshwar, on Wednesday sentenced murder convict Md Abdul Kadir alias Amuthi alias Amu (35) to life imprisonment.
Amu was convicted for murdering one Sarakhatun Bibi. The victim was found dead in Nambul River on September 21, 2014.
The court, after hearing the case, sentenced him to life imprisonment with a fine of Rs 10,000 and in default, further imprisonment for six months.
The court stated that one Md Khomei of Hiyangthang Pallak made a missing report of Sarakhatun Bibi to OC Wangoi Police Station on September 21, 2014.
Based on the report, police took up a case and were in the midst of tracing Bibi's whereabouts when her body was recovered from Nambul River near Khongnangkhong at Irom Meijrao Mamang Leikai.
Further investigation revealed that Bibi was last seen being picked up and going away with accused Md Abdul Kadir around 8 pm on September 19 of the same year.
After a detailed investigation, police filed a charge sheet against Abdul Kadir at CJM Imphal West.
The CJM accepted the charge sheet, stating that the accused could be punished under section 302,393,404 read with 201 of IPC.
During the sentence hearing, the PP stated that the person was convicted for the offence punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for committing murder of a woman.
The PP further stated that the punishable for murder should be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall be liable to fine and as such, the convict shall be sentenced to a minimum of life imprisonment.
The counsel of the convict prayed for releasing the convict on probation, as the convict is only 35 years old and has a chance of rehabilitation.
It may be mentioned that three other accused mentioned in the charge sheet were removed due to lack of evidence while a juvenile was sent to JJB Imphal West. As the trial was to be conducted u/s 302, 396 and other sections of IPC, the case was referred to the Sessions Court
In February 2016, the then Sessions Judge M Manojkumar framed charges against the accused u/s 396, 302, 392, 404 and 201 of IPC.
