Life sentences for nine in Mahanga double murder, one acquitted

Bhubaneswar, Aug 28: In a landmark decision on the high-profile Mahanga double murder case in Odisha, a court in Salepur, Cuttack, sentenced nine individuals to life imprisonment for their roles in the 2021 killings of BJP leader Kulamani Baral and his associate Dibyasingha Baral. However, one defendant was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

The verdict, delivered by the Additional District Judge in Salepur, addresses the brutal murders that took place in the Mahanga area of Cuttack district. Kulamani Baral and Dibyasingha Baral were attacked and killed near Jankoti village on January 2, 2021.

The case attracted significant attention as Kulamani Baral had been vocal about alleged financial misconduct by certain BJD leaders under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Allegations were directed towards former BJD leader and Minister Pratap Jena, leading to the JMFC Court in Salepur initially continuing the case against him. Currently, the matter is under review by the Orissa High Court.

Kulamani’s son, Ranjit Kumar Baral, had filed a complaint that initially included Jena among the accused. Although Jena's name was later removed from the chargesheet, the JMFC court ordered further investigation into his alleged involvement following a petition from Kulamani’s son.