Five Sentenced to Life in 2018 Gonda Murder Case Involving Land Dispute

A Gonda court sentenced five men, including relatives, to life imprisonment for a 2018 murder linked to a land dispute. One victim died and another was injured in the attack. The judge also imposed fines, with additional jail time in case of non-payment. The verdict follows years of legal proceedings.

A local court in Gonda has sentenced five men to life imprisonment in connection with a 2018 murder and attempted murder case rooted in a land dispute. The convicted include a father-son pair and two brothers, all residents of Ahiyachet village. The verdict was delivered on Friday by Additional Sessions Judge and Special Judge Rajesh Narayan Mani Tripathi, who also imposed fines on each of the convicts.

The case dates back to November 14, 2018, when Ramdayal, a resident of the village, lodged a complaint at Kaudhiya police station. He alleged that his brother Rameshwar Prasad and nephew Ram Anuj were brutally attacked with a hoe while returning from their farmland. Rameshwar succumbed to his injuries the same day, while Ram Anuj survived with serious wounds.

The accused — Maniram and his son Mata Prasad, brothers Rajesh Kumar and Madhavraj (sons of Ram Kailash), and Sanwali Prasad (son of Budhai) — were booked under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder and attempted murder. The police filed a chargesheet following an investigation.

During the trial, the court examined the evidence, witness statements, and legal arguments presented by both the prosecution and defense. Based on the findings, the court declared all five guilty and handed down life sentences. Additionally, each convict was fined ₹29,500. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional 26 months of imprisonment. However, the time already spent in custody will be counted towards their sentence.

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This case underscores the lethal consequences of unresolved land disputes and the enduring impact such violence has on rural communities.