Father, son sentenced to life for 15-year-old Ballia murder

A local court has sentenced a father-son duo to life imprisonment in a 15-year-old murder case in Ballia district, a senior police officer said on Friday, Aug 21st.

According to the prosecution, the body of Vijay Yadav, a resident of Takarsan village, was found stuffed in a sack in a drain beneath the Ghonga bridge in the Maniyar police station area.

Vijay had gone to the district headquarters on January 13, 2011, for some personal work. Later, his son Ram Pravesh Yadav lodged a complaint against Rajendra Sonar and his son Amit alias Mantu after he did not return, following which a case was registered.

The investigation found that Vijay had gone to Rajendra's house to demand repayment of a loan. However, Rajendra and his son Amit slit Vijay's throat and, in an attempt to destroy evidence, mutilated his body, stuffed it in a sack and dumped it in the drain.

Ballia SP Omvir Singh said that after hearing arguments from all sides, Special Judge Ramkripal convicted Rajendra and Amit and sentenced them to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 10,000 each on Thursday.