Elder brother, sister-in-law get life term for younger brother’s murder in Assam’s Sribhumi

A district and sessions court in Assam’s Sribhumi has sentenced a man and his wife to life imprisonment for the murder of his younger brother in a case dating back to 2016.

The court convicted the deceased’s elder brother, Sufiyan Ahmed, and his wife, Hasina Begum, in connection with the murder that took place in Bihaidala village under Ratabari Police Station.

In addition to life imprisonment, the court imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on the two convicts.

The verdict was delivered after a prolonged trial spanning nearly a decade. The court examined witness testimonies, investigation records, documentary evidence and other material placed before it before finding the accused guilty.

According to the court’s observations, the evidence presented during the trial established the charges against both accused beyond reasonable doubt.

The murder, which occurred in Bihaidala village in 2016, had triggered widespread outrage in the area. Police had alleged that the victim was killed following a family dispute and that the elder brother’s wife was also involved in the crime.

Following the investigation, police filed a chargesheet against the two accused, leading to the trial before the district and sessions court.

The verdict has brought relief to the family of the deceased after years of legal proceedings. Legal experts and local residents described the judgment as a significant example of the justice system’s response to serious crimes and said it reinforced the message that offenders would be held accountable under the law.

The ruling, delivered nearly a decade after the crime, is also expected to strengthen public confidence in the judicial process.