Altogether 16 accused in the sensational murder case of the Catholic nun Sister Valsa John were awarded life term and penalty of Rs 10,000 each by a court at Pakur on Friday.

In the verdict, the court of the Additional District and Sessions Judge of Pakur, Om Prakash Srivastva awarded the convicts life term and penalty on Friday, informed Pawan Toppo, prosecution lawyer. 

The names of accused who were sentenced by the court included Suresh Murmu, Ranjan Marandi, Nazir Soren, Jitan Bagchi, Bablu Murmu, Raju Murmu, Paisil Hembrom, Prem Turi, Edwin Murmu, Tala Hembrom Rakesh Turi, Pradhan Murmu, Saheb Ram Madaia, and Munsi Murmu.

Sister Valsa John (53) was brutally murdered by a mob of 40 to 45 people who came with spears, clubs and axes to kill her.

The mob attacked the house of Sister Valsa and killed her on November 15, 2011. The killing took place at Pachuara village under Amrapara police station of Pakur district.

Valsa, according to police, was killed as she launched a movement against the Panem Coal Mining Company for the cause of displaced tribal people. Protest led by Sister Valsa forced the mining company management to execute an agreement for proper rehabilitation of the displaced people.

later, a section of the displaced persons turned against her because she had played a major role in negotiation of the agreement between the Mining Company and the villagers (affected), locals said. 

After the agreement with the mining company, some people got rehabilitation package and others did not; therefore few displaced people group went against her, they added.

According to police, Valsa was murdered by CPI Maoists because she had helped negotiate an agreement between Panem Mining Company and the tribal people (project-affected) for their land rights. But the Maoists were opposing such an agreement.

In the month of October 2014, a Maoist surrendered himself and told the Dumka police that Sister Valsa was murdered by Maoists.