Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Sep 26: Through a judgement delivered on Thursday September 25, the third additional district and sessions court here has sentenced Monappa Naik (37) to life imprisonment apart from imposing fine on him, for murdering his friend's wife and robbing the jewellery worn by her at the time.

The prosecution had charged Monappa Naik of getting attracted to Rekha (25), wife of his friend Vithal Naik (33), a rickshaw driver. Monappa Naik was charged with approaching Rekha on the night of August 18, 2007 when she was alone at her house, and soliciting sexual favours. As she rejected, Monappa brought a wooden stick from a neighbouring house and killed Rekha by hitting her head with the stick a few times. He then robbed the jewellery she was wearing, along with other ornaments found in an almirah in the house at the time.

The then Sullia police inspector T Sanjeev Naik had booked the case, arrested the accused and filed chargesheet against him.

As per the judgement delivered by judge D S Shinde, Monappa Naik will also have to pay a fine of Rs 5,000. The prosecution was represented by the retired public prosecutor R S Hullatti and the current public prosecutor C Venkataramana Swamy. A total of 18 witnesses were examined during the course of hearing.