Bolangir: Artatrana Singhdeo, one of the three convicts alive in the murder of Parsuram Satpathy way back in 1974, surrendered before the District and Sessions court here today.
The Supreme Court had directed Singhdeo and Prasanna Pal, another convict alive and former MLA of Kantabanjhi, to surrender before the local court within four weeks. Else, the non-bailable warrants against the duo will be in force, the apex court had said.
Delivering its verdict 41 years after the incident, the Orissa high court had last month awarded rigorous life imprisonment to nine accused in the sensational murder case. However, only three of the convicts are alive while six others have already died.
The district police have already arrested the third convict alive, Dhubei Podh, a few days ago. The 69-year-old Podha had committed the crime at the age of 28, sources said.
Satpathy, a fierce youth leader and Bharatiya Lok Dal activist then, was reportedly crushed under the wheels of a jeep by his political opponents who were envious of his rising popularity.
A case had been registered against the nine persons in the case. But a local court and later even the High Court had acquitted all of them. However, the Supreme Court directed the High Court to hear the case all again. It’s during the re-hearing, all the nine accused were found guilty and awarded lifers.