The tragic event in Odisha left a newlywed husband dead, his great aunt killed, and his wife critically injured, marking a shocking crime in the region's history.
**Life Sentence for 'Wedding Bomb' Attacker in India**
**Life Sentence for 'Wedding Bomb' Attacker in India**
A former college principal who orchestrated a deadly parcel bomb attack at a wedding has been sentenced to life in prison.
In a chilling case that shocked India, Punjilal Meher, a former college principal in Odisha, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in a parcel bomb attack that claimed the lives of a newlywed and his great aunt in 2018. The court found Meher guilty of murder, attempted murder, and explosives offenses in what became known as the "wedding bomb" incident. On the fateful day, just days after Soumya Sekhar Sahu married, he and his wife Reema were preparing lunch when a parcel, disguised as a wedding gift, arrived at their home.
As they opened the package, it detonated, killing the 26-year-old Sahu and his 85-year-old great-aunt, Jemamani Sahu, while severely injuring Reema. The case drew wide attention across the nation as details unfolded. Although the prosecution described Meher's actions as "heinous," the court decided against classifying the crime as a "rarest of the rare" case worthy of the death penalty.
Following an extensive investigation, Meher, then 49, was apprehended due to a longstanding grudge stemming from professional rivalry, as he previously worked at the college where Soumya's mother was employed. Meher cleverly camouflaged his identity, using a false name to send the bomb, which traveled over 650 kilometers before being delivered. The investigation took a dramatic turn after an anonymous letter hinted at the identity of the bomb sender, leading police to scrutinize Meher's involvement further.
Upon interrogation, Meher initially provided dubious claims but later allegedly confessed to constructing the bomb from firecrackers. He had even attended both the wedding and the funeral, attempting to establish an alibi. The shocking nature of this crime has left a lasting impact, as communities in India grapple with the reality of such tragic events and the profound loss experienced by the victims' families.
As they opened the package, it detonated, killing the 26-year-old Sahu and his 85-year-old great-aunt, Jemamani Sahu, while severely injuring Reema. The case drew wide attention across the nation as details unfolded. Although the prosecution described Meher's actions as "heinous," the court decided against classifying the crime as a "rarest of the rare" case worthy of the death penalty.
Following an extensive investigation, Meher, then 49, was apprehended due to a longstanding grudge stemming from professional rivalry, as he previously worked at the college where Soumya's mother was employed. Meher cleverly camouflaged his identity, using a false name to send the bomb, which traveled over 650 kilometers before being delivered. The investigation took a dramatic turn after an anonymous letter hinted at the identity of the bomb sender, leading police to scrutinize Meher's involvement further.
Upon interrogation, Meher initially provided dubious claims but later allegedly confessed to constructing the bomb from firecrackers. He had even attended both the wedding and the funeral, attempting to establish an alibi. The shocking nature of this crime has left a lasting impact, as communities in India grapple with the reality of such tragic events and the profound loss experienced by the victims' families.
