Gunupur (Rayagada): In a significant verdict, a court in Rayagada district today sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife in a dowry-related case in 2024.

The convict, Surendra Shabara of Gadia Khala village under Gunupur block, had married Santoshi Bauri from Dhepa Sahi in Gunupur. At the time of the marriage, the bride’s family had reportedly given ₹3 lakh cash along with other household items as dowry.

According to the complaint filed by the victim’s family, Surendra began subjecting Santoshi to harassment and torture soon after the marriage. In April 2024, at around 5 a.m., he allegedly strangled her to death using a rope.

Based on the complaint, police registered a dowry death case and arrested the accused on the same day. He was later produced in court and remained in judicial custody as his bail was rejected.

The case was trialed in the Additional District Judge (ADJ) Court in Gunupur, where statements of 18 witnesses were recorded. Based on the evidence and testimonies, ADJ Deb Dutta Pattnaik pronounced the verdict, convicting Surendra Shabar under Section 302 of the IPC.

The court awarded him life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹10,000. In case of default in payment of the fine, he will have to undergo an additional one year of imprisonment, informed Public Prosecutor Ishwar Gamang.