Hooghly, 15 July (H.S.): A district court in Chinsurah, West Bengal, has sentenced a man to death in a seven-year-old murder case in which a neighbour was killed for revealing the accused's alleged extramarital relationship with a married woman.

According to the prosecution, the incident took place on July 11, 2019, when Atanu Sarkar, a resident of Jhilpar in Chinsurah, and his acquaintance Surajit Mal were attacked with sharp weapons. Atanu Sarkar succumbed to his injuries, while Surajit Mal survived the assault.

The investigation revealed that the accused, Ajay Mandal, was allegedly involved in a relationship with a married woman. Atanu Sarkar and Surajit Mal had informed the woman's husband about the affair. Enraged by the disclosure, the accused allegedly attacked both men with a sharp weapon.

Atanu Sarkar was rushed to a hospital in Kolkata, where he died later the same day.

During the trial, the prosecution examined 19 witnesses and presented documentary and forensic evidence before the court. The case was prosecuted by Public Prosecutor Devendra Tiwari under the supervision of Chief Public Prosecutor Shankar Gangopadhyay.

On Tuesday, the First Additional District and Sessions Judge of the Chinsurah Court, Rintu Sur, convicted Ajay Mandal. On Wednesday, the court awarded him the death penalty.

The verdict is being seen as a significant milestone for the victim's family, which had been awaiting justice for seven years. The case highlights the judiciary's stern view of premeditated murder arising from personal vengeance.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey