Wife-killer sentenced to death in acid attack case in Odisha

In a significant judgment, the Special SC/ST Court in Balasore on Friday sentenced the main accused to death in a brutal acid attack case that led to the murder of a woman.

According to reports, the prime accused, Chandan Rana, had allegedly attacked his second wife, Banita Singh, with acid on February 20, 2023, before fleeing the scene. Following the incident, Balasore Police arrested seven persons in connection with the acid attack case.

To nab the main accused, Balasore Police formed five special teams. With assistance from police authorities in Kolkata, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, a special team of Balasore Police successfully arrested Chandan from outside the state.

Earlier, Sahadevkhunta police had also arrested Chandan Rana’s first wife and one of his associates in connection with the case.

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"The accused had carried out an acid attack on the elder daughter and granddaughter of Kartik Singh. Following the incident, Banita Singh succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Cuttack, while others sustained injuries. Delivering swift justice in the case, the Special Judge sentenced Chandan Rana to death under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The verdict was based on the examination of 110 documents and the statements of 34 witnesses," said Sanjay Kumar Mohanty, Special Public Prosecutor of SC/ST Court in Balasore.

"We have finally received justice after three long years. In my absence, the accused carried out an acid attack on my family members. My sister-in-law succumbed to her injuries after six days at a hospital in Cuttack. My wife, daughter, and son sustained serious injuries in the attack. I am relieved and satisfied that the court has awarded him the death sentence," said a family member of the deceased.