Jalpaiguri, Sept. 25 -- A Jalpaiguri court has sentenced a man to death for murdering his wife, observing that the crime falls under the "rarest of rare" category. The sentence was pronounced on Thursday by Biplab Roy, Judge of the Third Court of the Jalpaiguri Additional Court, eight months after the murder.
The convict, Srikanta Roy of Raipara in Ward 2 of Dhupguri Municipality, was found guilty of killing his wife, Soma Barman Roy. According to the prosecution, Srikanta learnt about Soma's relationship with their neighbour, Chiranjit Roy, while working in another state.
After returning home, Srikanta confronted Soma, who admitted to the relationship. A local salishi meeting later decided that Soma would marry Chiranjit and Srikanta agreed. Seven days after the marriage, on January 24, Srikanta allegedly bought a sharp weapon for Rs 250 and attacked Soma at Chiranjit's house, killing her.
He allegedly walked to Bamni Bridge More carrying the bloodstained weapon before taking an e-rickshaw to Dhupguri police station and surrendering. The court noted that Soma had suffered more than 15 injuries.
It also directed the District Magistrate to monitor the education, health and well-being of Srikanta's two minor sons until they turn 21.
Public prosecutor Haider Ali said: "A total of 23 witnesses were examined in the case. In the murder case, the court has sentenced Srikanta Roy to death."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.