Kolkata, April 19 (IANS) A court in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Tuesday awarded death penalty to eight people convicted for the abduction and murder of a 21-year-old college student known for opposing hooch dens.
The body of Sourav Chowdhury, chopped to pieces, was found beside the railway track between Duttapukur and Bamongachi stations in the district in July 2014, days after he had started campaigning against hooch dens in the area.
The court on April 15 had convicted 12 people -- nine for abduction and murder -- and three others for harbouring the criminals.
While eight of the nine convicted for murder have been given the death penalty, another convict was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The death penalty awarded to the eight convicts is subject to confirmation by the Calcutta High Court.
The three others found guilty of harbouring the criminals have been sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment.
In all, 13 people were charge-sheeted by police for the gruesome incident, of which one was acquitted by the court.
Sourav's family expressed happiness at the verdict.
"We have been hoping death for all those who had killed my brother. I thank police and the judiciary for acting swiftly in the case," said his brother Sandip.
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