Jharkhand Man Given Death Penalty for Killing 5 Family Members Over Land Dispute

The complaint was filed by Sidhu, leading to the case being registered. (Representational)

Seraikela:

On Thursday, a court in Jharkhand's Seraikela-Kharswan district sentenced a man to capital punishment for murdering five family members, including three children, following a property disagreement.

District and Additional Session Judge Sachindra Nath Sinha found Chunnu Manjhi guilty under IPC Section 302 (murder).

According to prosecutors, the family had sold a piece of land with proceeds distributed among four brothers. Chunnu believed he received an unfair share of the money.

In anger, Chunnu killed his brother Ravi, Ravi's wife Kalpana, and their three children. He then proceeded to his other brother Sidhu's residence, armed with an axe.

When Sidhu opened the door, Chunnu immediately attacked him and their mother with the axe. He also set fire to Sidhu's house and two-wheeler. Police apprehended Chunnu at the scene.

The murders occurred in Pudisili village in Chandil sub-division on February 23, 2019. Additional Public Prosecutor Harsh Vardhan stated that the court, classifying the incident as "brutal and rarest of rare," sentenced Chunnu to death by hanging.

Chunnu's conviction was based on forensic evidence and testimonies from 11 witnesses.

The court also imposed a Rs 20,000 fine and sentenced him to two years imprisonment under section 427 IPC (mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs 50 or above) for burning Sidhu's house.

The case was initiated following a complaint from Sidhu.