Puttur: Fast Track Court Awards Life Imprisonment in Putholi Case
By Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network—Puttur (RD/CN)
Puttur, Apr 8: The fast track court on Thursday April 8 handed out a life imprisonment sentence to the couple accused of murdering Uppinangady entrepreneur Putholi.
Yedapatya Chandra and his wife Veena were accused of murdering Putholi Yane Harish Rai, 13 years ago. The fast track court sentenced the couple for the murder and for attempting to destroy the evidence.
The court also fined them Rs 5 lac with orders to award the same to the mother of the deceased as compensation. If the couple fails to pay the fine, they will have to undergo five years of rigorous punishment.
More than 35 witnesses were produced in court while the hearing was on. The court awarded this significant judgement after investigating the technicality of the case.
Chandra, Veena and Putholi
The mystery of the sensational case was solved after detection of blood stains in the car of Yedapatya Chandra, the blood group of the deceased when donating blood to a pregnant women at Dhanwantary Hospital, the wrist watch of Putholi which was found in the compound of Yedapatya Chandra where Putholi’s dead body was burnt, technical report on bones, the phone calls made to Putholi’s mobile, and an anonymous letter.
The fast track court announced that Yedapatya Chandra and Veena are guilty of the heinous crime of murdering Putholi Yane Harish Rai, a resident of Kemmara, in Uppinangady, near here, during a hearing held on March 27.
Putholi, who left Bangalore for Mangalore on May 19, 1997, fell victim to the plot by the husband-wife duo and his mortal remains were set ablaze in their compound, as was proved in court.
Several voluntary organizations including Gampa Geleyaru, Uppinangady, struggled for justice in this case. Public prosecutor Udayashankar contested on behalf of Puttoli’s family.
Divine justice:
“It’s truly divine justice awarded to the killers of my brother”, said Sadashiv Rai, brother of deceased Puttoli Yane Harish Rai. His sisters Mamatha Rai and Chitra Rai also expressed happiness over the justice meted out.
“The judgement has been significant indeed to warn society against heinous crimes. Further, it has restored the faith in the judiciary in awarding justice despite the delay”, informed the family of the deceased.