Bhubaneswar: In a significant verdict in a sensational murder case that had shocked the city, a court in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday sentenced three persons to life imprisonment for the brutal killing of a youth over a decade ago.

The Additional Third District and Sessions Judge, Himanshu Sekhar Mallick, pronounced the judgment, awarding life terms to Sanjay Khuntia, Bharat Sahu and Sagar Prusti. The trio was convicted for the murder of Sonu alias Kritibas Parija in the Sarkantara area.

According to the prosecution, the accused had kidnapped Parija and later killed him in a gruesome manner. His body was allegedly chopped into pieces, packed in black polythene bags and disposed of to destroy evidence. In a particularly shocking detail, the victim’s skull was cut into five parts and thrown into the Daya river.

The case came to light on November 4, 2014, when five fragments of a human skull were recovered from the Nathpur stretch of the Daya river. Police launched an investigation based on the remains, and the victim was later identified as Kritibas Parija through DNA testing of his parents.

Subsequently, Dhauli Police registered a case on November 21, 2014, and began a detailed probe. During the trial, the prosecution examined 28 witnesses, produced 34 documents and presented four material exhibits.

After examining the evidence and testimonies, the court found all three accused guilty and sentenced them to life imprisonment.