Siliguri, 19th July: After a prolonged legal battle spanning 19 years, a court in Siliguri has finally delivered its verdict in the Rupatan Sarkar murder case, sentencing four accused to life imprisonment.
The case dates back to a dispute between Rupatan Sarkar and the family of Kunjo Singha over farming land in Kharibari. Kunjo Singha’s family had occupied Rupatan Sarkar’s land, leading to legal proceedings. Despite a court ruling directing Kunjo Singha to vacate the land, he began constructing a house on it. This led to a violent altercation on July 24, 2005, during which Rupatan Sarkar was attacked with a sharp weapon. He was admitted to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Following the attack, Rupatan Sarkar’s brother, Uttam Sarkar, filed a complaint at Kharibari police station against Kunjo Singha, his wife Bharti Singha, and their sons Videsh Singha and Sunil Singha. The police arrested the accused and presented them in court. After 19 years of investigation, evidence presentation, and witness testimonies, the court found all four guilty.
Fast Track Court Judge Sharat Kumar Chhetri sentenced Kunjo Singha, Bharti Singha, Videsh Singha, and Sunil Singha to life imprisonment. Government lawyer Anandita Guha noted that the case involved testimonies from 25 witnesses. The accused were in judicial custody from 2005 to 2009 and received bail in 2010. Following the completion of the court hearings on Thursday, the verdict was announced on Friday.