Alipurduar: The Fast Track Second Court of the Additional District and Sessions Judge in Alipurduar on Thursday sentenced a man to eight years of imprisonment for murder, bringing closure to a case that had gripped the Patkapara area for nearly four years.

The convict, Ram Kumar Munda, was found guilty of fatally attacking Akash Munda on May 22, 2021. The trial lasted over four and a half years, during which the prosecution examined seven witnesses before the court delivered its verdict.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred in the Patkapara area under Alipurduar Police Station. The accused allegedly attacked the victim with a sharp weapon during an altercation, reportedly driven by prior enmity. Akash Munda sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Alipurduar District Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries on the same day.

Following the incident, the victim's brother, Romanuj Munda, lodged a written complaint at the police station, leading to the arrest of the accused.

Public Prosecutor Suhrid Majumdar said the court also directed the state government to pay Rs 2 lakh as compensation to the victim's family. Additionally, the convict was fined Rs 5,000, with a default clause of six months' imprisonment in case of non-payment.