Two accused sentenced to life imprisonment in 2016 Panambur murder case

Mangaluru: Two accused were found guilty of murdering their relative Rekappa Lamani in Panambur in 2016 and were sentenced to life imprisonment by Third Additional District and Sessions Court Judge Basappa Balappa Jakati.

The accused are identified as Nagaraj Govindappa Lamani (28) from Devaragudde, Ranebannur, and Veeresh Shivappa Lamani (32) from Hanumapura, Ranebennur.

They were working as labourers and were staying in a rented room in Hosangady in Manjeshwara taluk in Kerala.

The victim Rekhappa Lamani, was also from Ranebannur and the husband of the elder sister of Nagaraj Govindappa Lamani’s wife

It is said that Nagaraj invited Rekhappa to Mangalore after finding work for him here. Nagaraj was attracted towards Savitri, wife of Rekhappa Lamani. On learning about it, Rekhappa decided to return to his native on September 4, 2016. Angered by this, Nagaraj decided to kill Rekhappa. He took Rekhappa to a bar in Mangaluru along with his friend Veeresh and made him consume alcohol.

Later, they took Rekappa to a secluded area in Panambur in an autorickshaw. The duo then strangulated Rekhappa and smashed his head with a boulder.

The case was investigated by the then police inspector of Panambur station, Lokesh A C who filed a charge sheet to the court. It is said that as many as 22 witnesses were produced before the court. As there were no direct eyewitnesses in the case, the judge had to rely on the circumstantial pieces of evidence

The judge also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on each. Of the fine amount Rs 10,000 should be given to Rekhappa Lamani’s wife