Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh – A local court in Barabanki has sentenced six individuals, including a woman, to life imprisonment in connection with the brutal murder of four members of a family over a property dispute that occurred 11 years ago. The verdict was delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge Rakesh Kumar Singh I on Wednesday, with each convict also being fined ₹75,000, officials said on Thursday.

The court found Chandrashekhar, his wife Janki alias Jankalli, and their associates Raju Verma, Arjun Singh, Dinesh Gautam, and Jitendra guilty of the crime, District Government Counsel Arvind Rajput confirmed. The gruesome incident came to light on February 10, 2014, when Manoj Verma, a resident of Dulhadepur under Dariyabad police station, visited the house of his uncle Shivbaran Verma in Mathuranagar village around 1:30 pm and discovered the door ajar.

Upon entering, Manoj Verma reportedly found the lifeless bodies of Shivbaran Verma, his wife Rani, their daughter Gudiya Devi, and son Nirmal. Police noted that Rani and Nirmal had their hands tied with ropes, while all four family members had plastic nooses around their necks. A foul odor emanating from the house suggested that the murders had occurred some time earlier, prompting authorities to suspect foul play.

The Dariyabad police immediately registered a case, and Inspector Indresh Kumar, who was assigned as the investigating officer, led a detailed probe into the murders. The investigation revealed that Chandrashekhar and his wife Janki had allegedly conspired to eliminate Shivbaran Verma and his family to gain control over his property. The couple reportedly hired Raju Verma, Arjun Singh, Dinesh Gautam, and Jitendra to carry out the killings.

Following the completion of the investigation, the police filed a chargesheet in court, presenting evidence and material witnesses to substantiate the prosecution’s claims. After extensive hearings and consideration of arguments from both the prosecution and defense, the court concluded that all six accused were guilty of the murders. In addition to life imprisonment, each convict was ordered to pay a fine of ₹75,000.

The court’s judgment serves as a significant milestone in a case that had shocked the local community over a decade ago. The meticulous investigation and prosecution highlighted the premeditated nature of the crime, demonstrating how disputes over property can escalate into deadly confrontations. By holding all six accused accountable, the court has delivered justice for the slain family, underscoring the legal system’s capacity to address even long-pending criminal cases.

The case, which drew considerable attention at the time of the murders, serves as a reminder of the importance of timely reporting and thorough investigation in resolving complex criminal cases. Authorities have emphasized that the verdict reflects the careful collection of evidence, witness testimonies, and a systematic approach to prosecution that ultimately led to a conclusive outcome after more than a decade of legal proceedings.