Chikkamagaluru: The Principal District and Sessions Court in Chikkamagaluru has awarded the death sentence to Govindappa, the accused in the brutal murder of a couple in Kusuburu village of N.R. Pura taluk in 2019.

The court pronounced the verdict on Friday in connection with the double murder case that had shocked the district.

Background of the case

According to the prosecution, the incident took place in 2019 in Kusuburu village. The crime was reportedly committed due to an alleged illicit relationship.

The accused, Govindappa, attacked the couple while they were sleeping and hacked them to death with a machete. The couple’s eight-year-old son witnessed the horrifying incident.

After committing the crime, the accused hid the machete used in the attack inside a hollow of a coconut tree in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Court verdict

Principal District and Sessions Court judge Rajeshwari N. Hegde delivered the judgment in the case.

The court awarded the death sentence to the accused under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for murder and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000.

In addition, the court sentenced him to one year of imprisonment under IPC Section 448 for illegally entering the house.

The case was registered at the N.R. Pura Police Station. Government prosecutor P. Veena argued the case against the accused in court.