Bhubaneswar, Oct 30: The Orissa High Court on Wednesday upheld the life sentence awarded to former Gunupur MLA Ramamurthi Gumango for the murder of his wife in 1995.

Gumango had appealed to the High Court last year, challenging the verdict passed by the Special MP-MLA court in Bhubaneswar. However, the High Court dismissed his appeal, affirming the lower court’s decision.

The case dates back to August 29, 1995, when Gumango’s wife, Shasirekha, was found dead under suspicious circumstances at his government residence in the MLA Colony, Kharvela Nagar. Her charred body was recovered from the house, with Gumango initially claiming she had committed suicide.

However, the police investigation revealed that Shasirekha’s death was not suicide but a premeditated murder, implicating Gumango in the crime. Initially booked for manslaughter, the charge was later upgraded to murder.

The Special Court convicted Gumango based on evidence, including the testimony of 11 witnesses and 15 documents, and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

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