The Patnagarh ADJ Court has delivered its verdict in the 2018 parcel bomb case, convicting Punjilal Meher and sentencing him to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹50,000. The incident, which occurred on February 23, 2018, resulted in the deaths of newlywed Soumyasekhar Sahu and his grandmother Jemamani Sahu.
Notedly, a parcel bomb exploded at the Sahu residence, killing two people and injuring the newlywed wife, Rima Rani. Accused Punjilal Meher, a professor, was accused of sending the parcel bomb due to professional enmity with the college president, Uytsha Sahu.
The Crime Branch arrested Punjilal Meher on April 24, 2018, despite the absence of eyewitness evidence.
The court convicted Punjilal Meher and sentenced him to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹50,000. The case was closely watched, and the verdict was delivered after a gap of 7 years.