Land Dispute Leads to Life Sentence in Odisha

A court in Odisha's Balasore district sentenced Samarendra Malik to life imprisonment for the murder of his neighbor, Baidhar Barsal, following a land dispute. Malik attacked Barsal with a sharp-edged weapon in 2022, leading to Barsal's death. The verdict followed extensive examination of evidence and witnesses.

An Odisha court has handed down a life sentence to a 43-year-old man for the deadly assault on his neighbor amid a land disagreement. Samarendra Malik was found guilty by the Additional Sessions Judge of murdering Baidhar Barsal in July 2022.

According to the court proceedings, Malik attacked Barsal in the Pinchhabania area following a heated argument, inflicting severe wounds with a sharp-edged weapon. Barsal later died en route to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

The court's decision was based on the testimony of 15 witnesses and the assessment of 18 exhibits and six material objects. Alongside the life sentence, a fine of Rs 6,000 was levied on Malik under IPC section 302 and the Arms Act.

(With inputs from agencies.)