Ranchi, May 15 (IANS): A Jharkhand court here Wednesday awarded life imprisonment to a state Congress legislator Sawana Lakra and three others convicted in a murder case.

Lakra was Monday convicted by the Ranchi court in abduction and murder of a youth Avinash Tiwari. Lakra was convicted under different sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including abduction and murder.

Lakra was an accused in the murder of Avinash Tiwari who reportedly was in love with his niece.

Tiwari, a resident of Garwah district went missing April 24, 2011. He had left for Ranchi and was abducted by the legislator's men, the same day. Tiwari's father had alleged that his son was abducted by Lakra.

His bullet riddled body was found April 27, 2011 in Khuti district of the state.

Police found during investigation that the legislator was behind the abduction and killing of Avinash Tiwari.

Besides the Congress legislator, his bodyguard, driver and another person were named accused in the case. The court awarded life imprisonment to the four.

Lakra after the sentence told reporters said that he would move a higher court against the judgment.