Daijiworld Media Network - Raichur (SP)

Raichur, Jun 9: In connection with a shelter for stray cattle which got demolished by two groups of people who had fought fiercely with each other, two had been killed while other four were murderously attacked by a gang of 16. The first additional district and sessions court which conducted hearing into the case handed down life term imprisonment to eight and the other eight were sentenced to ten years of imprisonment. A fine of Rs 3.16 lac was also imposed on the guilty.

Leaders from Bommanala village in Sirawara taluk in the district had approached the panchayat against the demolition of shelter for stray cattle by Devendrappa Gowda from the village on January 10, 2014, with the tacit purpose of grabbing the land. Angered by this, 16 villagers supporting Devendrappa Gowda had attacked Shankrappa Gowda, Ashok and others with lethal weapons. Two persons had died on the spot in the fight while four others had suffered grave injuries.

In this respect, a case had been registered at Sirawara police station. Judge of the said court, Mahadevayya, pronounced the verdict on Friday June 8 after the hearing which was held for four years. Accused Shivabasappa, Mallanna, Lingareddy, Anjinappa, Sharanappa, Basavaraj, Mallayya and Virupaksha were awarded life term sentences while Nagesh, Tayana, Maralingappa, Sanna Hokkeri, Gurrappa, Dullappa, Yankappa and Honnappa were awarded ten years each of imprisonment. A total sum of Rs 3.16 lac by way of fine was also imposed on 16 persons held guilty in the case.

Out of the fine collected as above, the judge ordered Rs 1.5 lac to be disbursed to Santosh, son of deceased Shankrappa Gowda and Rs 15 lac to Shivanagouda, father of deceased Ashok.