Jajpur: A woman was sentenced to life imprisonment by an Additional District and Sessions Court in Jajpur for murdering her husband at a rented house in Pragati Vihar under Mangalpur police station limits in 2021.

The court convicted Mamata Kuanr, wife of the deceased Atal Kuanr alias Subash, in the much-discussed murder case. Additional District and Sessions Judge Bisweswar Biswoprakash Ray pronounced the verdict on Thursday.

According to the prosecution, Atal Kuanr, a resident of Ismailpur area under Mangalpur police limits, was living with his family in a rented house at Pragati Vihar near Mangalpur market in 2021.

Following a family dispute, Mamata allegedly strangled her husband while he was asleep using a pillow and a charger cord.

The matter came to light following a complaint lodged by the deceased’s brother, Ranjan Kumar Kuanr, at Mangalpur police station. Based on the complaint, police arrested Mamata along with Ajay Samal and Krishna Sethi and produced them before the court.

During the trial, the prosecution examined 15 witnesses and produced 36 documents as evidence. After considering the evidence, the court sentenced Mamata to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh.

The court further directed that in case of non-payment of the fine, she would undergo an additional 12 months of imprisonment.

However, the court acquitted the other two accused, Ajay Samal and Krishna Sethi, due to lack of sufficient evidence against them.

The case was conducted by Public Prosecutor Kulamani Nayak and Additional Public Prosecutor Biplab Kumar Muduli.