TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The native of Gulbarga-Karnataka, who was held guilty for the murder of a Loutolim lad, Luis Paulo Baptista in 2012 has been sentenced to life imprisonment on Friday.
In his order, South Goa additional Sessions Judge Vincent D’silva also directed the accused Santosh Pujari (27), residing at Carvota Loutulim to pay a fine of Rs 50,000 and in default to undergo two years imprisonment.
Public prosecutor Asha Kamat Arsekar represented the state in the case which was investigated by Maina Curtorim PI Gurudas Kadam. The Prosecution had examined 11 witnesses in support of its case.
It was the prosecution’s case that on October 5, 2012 at 11 pm, accused Pujari, labour, residing infront of house of Dinesh Mota at Carvota murdered Luis Paulo Baptista inflicting serious injuries in brutal manner with sharp weapon on head, face, hands and other parts of body. The motive for murder is stated that the deceased repeatedly harassed the accused, abusing, assaulting and taking his money and calling him non-Goan.
The accused used “koita”to murder the deceased inflicting serious injuries. After the murder accused Pujari destroyed evidence by washing clothes worn by him and to have also hidden the “koita” which was recovered at the instance of accused.
