Nine sentenced to death in Gunupur triple murder case

Gunupur: The Additional District and Sessions Judge Court, Gunupur today awarded death sentence to nine persons in connection with the 2016 triple murder incident at Kitunga village in Rayagada district.

ADJ Subhendu Kumar Pati pronounced the death sentence on basis of statements by several witnesses.

Earlier in September 2016, three persons of a family, including a man, his wife and daughter were brutally killed on suspicion of practicing witchcraft. Blaming the family for various diseases affecting the villagers, locals had attacked the family members and burnt them alive.

Following investigation, 10 persons, including a juvenile were later arrested by the police.

"I welcome the judgment and want to thank the court for giving justice," said Melati Sabar, a relative of the deceased.