Bhubaneswar, Jun 19 (IANS): A local court in Odisha's Berhampur on Wednesday sentenced 18 people to life imprisonment for killing a 40-year-old man in May 2007.
Additional district and sessions judge Sanjay Kumar Sahoo held 19 accused persons guilty and convicted them of killing Maheswar Sasmal on May 12, 2007.
Maheswar was attacked and killed accusing him of being involved in anti-social activities in his village Phulta in Ganjam district.
Out of the 19, one of the accused had died during the trial. All of the accused are residents of Phulta.
Additional public prosecutor Anil Sahu said the court has sentenced life imprisonment to all the accused in the case.
Defence lawyer Sishir Padhi said they will challenge the judgement in the higher court.