Family gets life term for killing couple

A local court here has sentenced three members of a family to life imprisonment in connection with the 2017 murder of a young couple over their relationship, police said on Wednesday.

According to the prosecution, 23-year-old Ajit Gond and 20-year-old Khushboo Rai were shot dead by the girl’s family members in Jethwar village under Pakri police station limits on the night of May 29.

Ajit, a resident of Khori Pakad village under the Fefna police station, was friends with Prince Rai, brother of Khushboo, and frequently visited his house.  During this period, Ajit and Khushboo became close, which allegedly led to opposition from her family.

After the couple were killed, Ajit’s mother, Shail Devi, then filed a complaint, and police registered a case under sections of the Indian Penal Code and relevant provisions of the SC/ST Act against Prince, his mother Nirmala Rai, sister Pinki Rai, and four others — Sugriv Ram, Prakash, Umesh Kumar Gond and Umesh Sharma.

Superintendent of Police Omveer Singh said the court of Special Judge (SC/ST Act) Pramod Gangwar on Tuesday convicted Prince Rai, his mother Nirmala Rai and sister Pinki Rai, and sentenced them to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 75,000 each.

The court acquitted others due to lack of evidence, police said.