Three-year-old killed for black magic, culprits sentenced to life imprisonment

 

Mangaluru, 01 April 2016: The fourth additional district and session’s court sentenced two culprits Kamalaksha Purusha (80) and Chandrakala (41) to life imprisonment for brutally killing a three-year-old girl child for black magic— apparently believing the murder would please the gods.

 

They are also fined Rs 80,000.

 

The judgement was pronounced on Thursday. Kamalaksha was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000. If he fails to pay the penalty, additional five year rigorous imprisonment is imposed. He was also sentenced to three year’s rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 10,000 for destroying the evidence. If he fails to pay the fine, additional one year rigorous imprisonment is imposed.

 

 

Culprit Chandrakala was also sentenced to life imprisonment and Rs 10,000 fine. If she failed to pay fine, additional five years imprisonment was imposed. She was also sentenced to three years imprisonment and fine of Rs 10,000 for destroying the evidence. If she fails to pay the fine, additional one year imprisonment is imposed.

 

Out of Rs 80,000 fine, Rs 10,000 is to be paid to the government and remaining Rs 70,000 to the father of the victim. It is also recommended to District Legal Services Authority to pay compensation to victim’s family.

 

Public Prosecutors Pushparaj Adyanthaya and Harischandra Udyavar appeared on behalf of prosecution.

 

Three-year-old Priyanka with her parents Firan Kumar Jha and mother Anjali Devi from Bihar was living in a rented house owned by Kamalaksha Purusha. As usual, second culprit Chandrakala took Priyanka to her house on 16 December 2010 and Kamalaksha killed her by strangulating the neck. The dead body was found the following day in an areca plantation nearby. Hot water was poured on the body of the child and burn injuries were found on the dead body.