High Court confirms life term for killers

The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday confirmed the life sentence awarded by a trial court to two persons convicted of murdering a man over a dispute during a cricket match.

Yelappa and Manjunath alias Jetty, from Doddaballapur, were accused of murdering Giri Babu over a petty quarrel in May 2005. The trial court convicted them for murder and sentenced them to life imprisonment. They had moved the High Court in appeal.

“Intention of murder need not be pre-planned. It can come on the spot also. There is clear evidence against the accused,” the Division Bench comprising Justices K L Manjunath and H S Kempanna said, while dismissing the appeal.

Additional Public Prosecutor P M Nawaz submitted that there was clear evidence in the form of an eyewitness in the case. “It is corroborated by medical evidence. No sympathy should be shown towards the accused as more youngsters are involving in crime these days.

Confirming the sentence would send a message to the offenders,” he contended.
‘Not a game anymore’

The counsel for one of the convict men claimed that the latter was not present at the spot while the advocate for the other convict submitted that there was no intention of murder. The Bench observed that the game of cricket was not like it was earlier and there was betting in every match, big or small, leading to enmity and sometimes, death.

The Bench said the trial court judge had come to the correct finality on a careful examination of evidence and there was no need for any interference in his order.