Surajpur, Oct 08: A fast-track court in Surajpur on Tuesday sentenced three convicts, including prime accused Kuldeep Sahu, to death for the 2024 murder of a police Head Constable’s wife and minor daughter. The fourth convict, Aryan Vishwakarma, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life.

The sentencing came days after the court convicted all four accused on September 29 in the high-profile case involving murder, rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Counsel for the victims, Suresh Kumar Sharma, had sought the maximum punishment, submitting that the crime fell under the “rarest of rare” category.

The case dates back to October 2024, when the wife and minor daughter of a serving police Head Constable were allegedly attacked at their residence. According to the prosecution, the woman was raped and subsequently stabbed to death, while her daughter was killed with a sharp-edged weapon.

The prosecution said the bodies were later taken from the house and dumped at a location about five kilometres away. They were recovered the following day.

When the Head Constable returned home from duty, he reportedly found bloodstains on the walls and floor and discovered that his wife and daughter were missing.

According to the prosecution, the crime was linked to an earlier dispute involving Sandeep Sahu, brother of prime accused Kuldeep Sahu. Sandeep had allegedly been involved in an altercation with some youths during a Jagrata programme on October 9, 2024.

He was subsequently detained by police, following which allegations surfaced that he had been assaulted at the police station. The prosecution alleged that Kuldeep was angered by the incident and planned retaliation.

The investigation also brought to light an alleged confrontation between Kuldeep and police personnel shortly before the murders. On October 13, he allegedly poured scalding oil on Constable Ghanshyam Sonwani when police attempted to apprehend him before fleeing and threatening the officer.

Police further alleged that he later attempted to run over personnel with a vehicle while trying to evade arrest.

According to the prosecution, Kuldeep subsequently reached the Head Constable’s residence and attacked his wife and daughter. Investigators later alleged the involvement of Aryan Vishwakarma, Chandrakant Chaudhary and Rinku Singh in the crime.

Following the murders, police launched an extensive operation to trace the accused. Kuldeep was also accused of opening fire at a police team during the search operation before fleeing towards Jharkhand.

He was later arrested by Balrampur police after being intercepted while getting off a bus.

The murders triggered widespread anger in Surajpur, with protesters demanding the immediate arrest of the accused. During the unrest, vehicles parked outside Kuldeep’s house and warehouse were set ablaze.

Police subsequently stepped up security arrangements, while senior officials monitored the situation.

In view of the gravity of the offences, the trial was conducted before the fast-track court of Judge Anand Prakash Wariyal. The court convicted all four accused on September 29.

After hearing arguments on the quantum of punishment, the court on October 8 sentenced three convicts to death and Aryan Vishwakarma to life imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life.