Kohima, March 7 (MExN): A Kohima court has convicted a 49-year-old man of murdering his younger brother and sentenced to life imprisonment.
The Court of Mezivolu T Therieh, NJS, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Kohima, found Lezo Seletsu (49 years) for the offence of murder under Section 302 IPC for killing his biological brother (33 years) at Pfuchama village under Kohima District on August 20, 2023.
According to the prosecution, the accused fired at the deceased with a firearm causing fatal injuries.
After committing the offence, the accused absconded and went into hiding but was later arrested.
The weapon used in the crime was recovered at his instance during the investigation, which was led by UBSI Chiwasie Nyusou of Khuzama Police Station.
During the trial, the court examined five prosecution witnesses and two defence witnesses. Special Public Prosecutor Sashimongla Jamir Special Public Prosecutor, Kohima.
Dismissing the accused’s claim of acting in self-defence, the court observed that the evidence clearly indicated the deceased had disengaged from an altercation and was walking away when the accused retrieved a firearm from his house and shot him from behind.
“Once the deceased was retreating there was no imminent threat to the accused, thereby rejecting the plea of private defence,” the Court held.
Noting that firing a lethal firearm at close range at an unarmed and retreating person clearly demonstrates the intention to cause death or such bodily injury as is sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death, thereby attracting Section 300 IPC.
Convicting the accused under Section 302 of IPC, the court sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for life and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000. In default of payment, the convict will undergo a further simple imprisonment of one year and six months.
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