MARGAO: District Judge Desmond D’Costa on Tuesday sentenced a murder convict to life imprisonment.
Nazir Pathyekhanval, a native of Belgaum was sentenced to life imprisonment under Section 302 for murder and was also fined Rs 10,000. He was also fined Rs 15,000 for seeking to destroy evidence under Section 201 of IPC. The total amount of Rs 25,000 is to be paid to the children of the victim Shanul Sharif.
The case of the prosecution was that, Nazir and Shanul, both hailing from Hukeri in Belgaum, were working as masons or tile fitters in Goa and staying together in a rented premises at Shirvoi. On May 5, 2015, the two had consumed alcohol and in the afternoon had a fight over some missing money which Nazir accused Shanul of having stolen. The initial arguments turned physical and Nazir murdered Shanul by throwing a stone on his head.
After Shanul’s death, Nazir dumped the body in a soak pit and covered it with mud and branches of trees and bushes in a bid to hide the body. However, it was discovered as it started emitting foul odour after a few days.
Public Prosecutor Sarojini Sardinha examined 14 witnesses to prove the case. The accused was represented by Adv Amarnath Desai.
Meanwhile, Judge D’Costa acquitted all the six persons from Sancoale, Zuarinagar and Cortalim who were prosecuted for dacoity by the Maina Curtorim police.
