Punjilal Meher Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in 2018 Patnagarh Parcel Bomb Case

Bhubaneswar, May 28 : The Sessions Judge of Patnagarh on Wednesday convicted Punjilal Meher, the prime accused in the high-profile 2018 Patnagarh parcel bomb explosion case, sentencing him to life imprisonment on all charges.

The tragic incident occurred on February 23, 2018, at the residence of Rabindra Kumar Sahoo in Brahmapura, Patnagarh. A parcel bomb, disguised as a wedding gift, exploded, killing newlywed Soumya Sekhar Sahoo and his grandmother Jemamani Sahoo, while severely injuring Soumya’s wife, Rimarani.

Following the sensitive nature of the case, the Crime Branch took over the investigation on March 23, 2018. The probe was led by officers under the supervision of Anil Kumar Dash, then Additional SP of the Crime Branch, and was monitored by IG Arun Bothra of CID-CB.

The prosecution established that Punjilal Meher, an English lecturer and former colleague of Rimarani, harbored resentment and had meticulously planned the crime. Meher sent the parcel bomb to the newlyweds just days after their marriage in an attempt to destroy the family.

Based on circumstantial, scientific, electronic, and testimonial evidence—including a Test Identification Parade (TIP)—the court charged Meher under Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code, along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Explosive Substances Act.

The prosecution presented 62 witnesses, 100 documents, and 51 material objects, while the defense examined three witnesses, including Meher himself, and submitted eight documents.

After a thorough evaluation, the Sessions Judge sentenced Punjilal Meher to:

• Life imprisonment under Section 302 IPC, with a fine of Rs. 50,000
• Rigorous imprisonment for 10 years under Section 307 IPC, with a fine of Rs. 20,000
• Rigorous imprisonment for 7 years under Section 201 IPC, with a fine of Rs. 10,000
• Life imprisonment under Section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act, with a fine of Rs. 50,000
• Rigorous imprisonment under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act, with a fine of Rs. 10,000

Default clauses were imposed in case of non-payment of fines.

The verdict brings closure to one of Odisha’s most sensational criminal cases, highlighting the judiciary’s firm stance against violent crimes.