Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Aug 28: In a major development in the Mahanga double murder case, a court in Cuttack’s Salepur sentenced nine individuals to life imprisonment on Wednesday for their involvement in the 2021 killings of BJP leader Kulamani Baral and his associate Dibyasingha Baral. However, an additional accused was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
The court’s decision pertains to the brutal murder of Kulamani Baral and Dibyasingha Baral, who were attacked with weapons near Jankoti village in the Mahanga area on January 2, 2021. The case garnered significant attention as it was linked to allegations against BJD leader and former Minister Pratap Jena. Kulamani Baral had been vocal about the alleged misappropriation of funds under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) by certain BJD leaders.
Despite initial charges against Jena and 12 others based on a complaint by Kulamani’s son, Ranjit Kumar Baral, Jena’s name was later removed from the chargesheet. The case against Jena remains ongoing in the Orissa High Court.
