In a significant ruling that brings closure to a case that dragged on for nearly 14 years, a district court in Karnataka's Uttara Kannada district has convicted and sentenced the primary individual responsible for the murder of a forest officer. The verdict was delivered on Friday, marking the end of a prolonged legal battle.
Court Delivers Verdict After 14-Year Wait
The Second District and Sessions Court in Karwar, which was sitting at Yellapur, pronounced its judgment in the 2012 murder case of Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Madan H Nayak. Judge Kiran Kini, presiding over the court, found Prashant Rama Lambani guilty of the officer's murder and sentenced him to undergo ten years of rigorous imprisonment. The court also imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 11,000 on the convicted individual.
Details of the 2012 Altercation and Murder
The tragic incident dates back to 2012 and occurred at a crocodile habitat located near Dandeli. The confrontation began when ACF Madan H Nayak objected to and tried to stop a group of tourists from feeding meat to the crocodiles. This intervention led to a heated altercation with the group. During the clash, Nayak was assaulted, resulting in severe head injuries. He later succumbed to these injuries, turning the incident into a murder case that shocked the local community and highlighted the risks faced by forest officials.
Compensation, Fines, and Case History
Beyond the main sentence, the court has directed that a compensation of Rs 50,000 be paid to the family of the deceased officer. The judgment also addressed other co-accused individuals in the case. Anand Roopasingh Nayak, Suresh Shankrappa Nayak, Shailaja, Danabai, and Madhuri Rathod were each fined Rs 1,000. The court order specified that failure to pay this fine would result in an additional one month of simple imprisonment for each of them.
The case was notable for its sensitivity and the procedural complexities involved, which contributed to the lengthy timeline of almost 14 years from the date of the incident to the final judgment. The investigation was initially handled by the local police but was later transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). In court, public prosecutor Rajesh Malagikar successfully argued the case on behalf of the state, leading to Friday's conclusive verdict.
