In a landmark verdict that brings closure to decades of anguish, a Muzaffarpur court in Bihar has sentenced five men to life imprisonment for a gruesome murder committed 34 years ago. The Additional District Judge-5 court, presided over by Judge Alok Kumar Pandey, convicted the accused in the 1991 killing of Kunwar Rai in Sivarahan Chaturbhuj village under Ahiyapur police station.
The horrific incident unfolded on August 9, 1991, when Baidyanath Rai, armed with a licensed gun, arrived at Mohan Rai’s field with a group of men wielding sticks, axes, and bombs. They began ploughing the land on a tractor, ignoring protests from the family. Enraged, they savagely beat Mohan Rai’s mother, Basanti Devi, and tied her to a tree.
Chaos erupted in the village as the commotion drew Kunwar Rai, Basanti’s brother and Mohan’s uncle, to the scene. In a shocking act of violence, Baidyanath fired three bullets into Kunwar Rai, who collapsed on the spot. The attackers didn’t stop there; they broke his right arm before fleeing, leaving him to die. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 each on the convicts—Baidyanath Rai, Rambalam Rai, Mahanth Rai, Ramchandra Paswan, and Sahdev Rai—with an additional two years in jail if unpaid.
Public Prosecutor Sunil Kumar Pandey presented compelling witness testimonies and evidence that sealed the fates of the perpetrators. Out of 13 named accused in the initial FIR filed by Mohan Rai, these five were held guilty after a protracted legal battle spanning over three decades.
For the victim’s family, this ruling is a hard-won victory. ‘We waited over 34 years for justice,’ Mohan Rai said, his voice heavy with emotion. The courtroom fell silent as the sentences were read, marking the end of a dark chapter in the village’s history. This case underscores the Indian judiciary’s commitment to delivering justice, no matter how long it takes.