Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jan 19: In a shocking case from Mulki taluk’s Yelinje village, a man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for fatally stabbing his neighbour and the neighbour’s wife in a brutal attack that shook the local community.
The incident occurred on April 29, 2020, at Muttayyakere Aagindakadu, when the accused, Alphonse Saldanha, lured his neighbour, Vincent D'Souza (known as Vinci), to his home under the pretext of settling a dispute over a wooden beam.
During the confrontation, Saldanha attacked Vinci with a knife, killing him on the spot. When Vinci’s wife, Helen D'Souza (Helen Rosy Rodrigues), rushed to intervene, she too was stabbled to death.
The Mulki police station registered the case under FIR number 31/2020, invoking Sections 341, 504, 506, and 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The investigation was led by police inspector Jayaram D Gowda, with assistance from ASI Umesh K and HC Vadiraj (No. 725). A charge sheet was subsequently filed before the competent court.
The trial, recorded under SC Case Number 69/2020, was initially presided over by judge Mallikarjuna of the 1st Additional District Sessions Court and later transferred to Judge Jagadish of the 2nd Additional District Sessions Court. On January 19, 2026, the court sentenced Alphons Saldanha to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 2 lac.
During the proceedings, public prosecutor Judith Margaret presented the state’s case, while police officer MP Kavya (No. 827) assisted in evidence examination.
An official noted, “This case highlights the extreme brutality that can occur even in seemingly ordinary neighbourly disputes. The court’s verdict delivers justice for the victims and sends a strong message about the consequences of such crimes.”
The gruesome attack, which left both husband and wife dead, had horrified residents of Elinje village and drawn widespread attention to issues of safety and crime in the region.