In a sensational incident in Tripura’s Unakoti district, a village judge stabbed another judge during a settlement meeting following a heated altercation. The accused, Hasukrai Debbarma, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by the District and Sessions Judge of Unakoti district on Thursday, September 10. The incident took place under the jurisdiction of Fatikroy police station.
According to Unakoti District Court Public Prosecutor and government counsel in the case, Sunirmal Deb, the incident dates back to October 5, 2022.
On the night of October 4, 2022, an orchestra programme was held throughout the night at Shantir Bazar under Fatikroy police station. After attending the programme, Pabir Debbarma and Chania Debbarma were returning home together in the early hours of October 5. On their way, they were allegedly stopped and assaulted by Ripon Debbarma, Khokon Debbarma and Bhoyel Debbarma.
Following the incident, Pabir and Chania received preliminary treatment at the Fatikroy Primary Health Centre and verbally informed the police about the incident.
Later that morning, at around 10 am, a settlement meeting was organised at the market shed in Shantir Bazar. Among those present as judges at the meeting were Hasukrai Debbarma, representing Pabir and Chania, and Subesh Debbarma, representing Ripon, Bhoyel and Khokon.
As the settlement meeting was nearing its conclusion, an argument suddenly broke out between Hasukrai Debbarma and Subesh Debbarma. During the altercation, Hasukrai allegedly became enraged and stabbed Subesh in the abdomen in front of those present. Subesh collapsed on the ground in a blood-soaked condition.
He was immediately rescued and taken to the Fatikroy Primary Health Centre, from where he was referred to the Unakoti District Hospital in Kailashahar. As his condition subsequently deteriorated, doctors at the district hospital referred him to GB Hospital in Agartala. Subesh reportedly recovered after undergoing treatment at GB Hospital for nearly three months.
On October 6, 2022, the day after the incident, Subesh’s brother, Ravi Chand Debbarma, lodged a written complaint at Fatikroy police station against Hasukrai Debbarma, Bhoyel Debbarma, Khokon Debbarma and Ripon Debbarma.
Police registered a case under Sections 323, 326, 307 and 34 of the IPC and subsequently arrested all four accused.
The investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Biplab Debbarma, submitted the chargesheet before the court on October 31, 2022.
During the trial, a total of 12 witnesses gave evidence before the court. After nearly four years of proceedings, District and Sessions Judge Prakash Kumar of Unakoti district pronounced the verdict on Thursday afternoon.
The court convicted all four accused. Hasukrai Debbarma was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and fined Rs 5,000. In default of payment of the fine, he will have to undergo an additional two months’ imprisonment.
Meanwhile, considering the ages of the other three convicts and the overall circumstances of the case, the court awarded one year of conditional punishment to Ripon Debbarma, Bhoyel Debbarma and Khokon Debbarma.