Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 7: The first additional district and sessions court here has sentenced Zubair (30), who was accused of murdering Shariff alias Muhammed Shariff at Nandavar in Bantwal taluk, to rigorous life imprisonment. A fine of Rs 10,000 has also been imposed on him. The judgment was delivered on Thursday February 6.

In connection with the above murder, which was reportedly committed due to pre-existing enmity, the then Bantwal circle inspector, C K Nanjunde Gowda had taken up investigation, which was later continued by the next circle inspector, Anil Kulkarni, who also filed charge sheet in the court. Public prosecutor, Pushparaj Adyantaya, had examined the witnesses and presented arguments.

Zubair was charged with killing Shariff, when he was standing by the side of a shop in Nandavar at 12.15 pm on June 23, 2011, by piercing his neck with a broken soda bottle. For this purpose, he had picked two soda bottles kept in a tray outside the shop for sale, and broken them by smashing them against each other. Shariff was a resident of Bastigudde in Nanadavar, Sajipamunnur village.

Judge of the court, B K Naik, who examined 16 witnesses, came to the conclusion that the guilt of the accused was proven, and sentenced him to life imprisonment under section 302 of Indian Penal Code. In case of failure to pay up fine, the accused will be required to undergo an additional simple imprisonment of a year.

The amount of fine so collected has been ordered to be paid to Muhammed Shabbir, brother of the deceased.