Four Get Life Term for Killing BJD Leaders in Ganjam

Berhampur: A local court in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Wednesday sentenced four individuals to life imprisonment for the brutal killing of two Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders during the 2022 rural elections, stemming from intense political rivalry.

The court of the Additional District Judge (ADJ-3) convicted Budu Das, Kuna Gouda, Prasant Gouda, and B Debraj Gouda for the murder of Sudarshan Suara (53) and Sudhir Patra (50). The incident occurred on April 23, 2022, near Soura Pahada in Chasanimakhandi village, while the two leaders were returning from a party meeting in Bhismagiri. They were fatally stabbed and later succumbed to their injuries.

After examining statements from 28 witnesses, the court delivered its verdict, imposing a fine of ₹30,000 on each of the convicts. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional 10 months of imprisonment.

Additional Public Prosecutor Rajat Kumar Das informed that five other accused were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

Investigations revealed that Prasant Gouda, one of the convicted, orchestrated the murder plot, blaming the two BJD leaders for his wife’s defeat in the sarpanch election of Nimakandi panchayat. He reportedly hired three contract killers, offering ₹50,000 for the job and paying ₹30,000 as an advance.

Police had arrested a total of nine suspects in connection with the case shortly after the killings.