A man who was accused of a triple murder was found to be innocent after 19 years of jail by a court in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.

The person, identified as Habil Sindhu, is a resident of Balarampur village.
Habil Sindhu was booked on charges of killing three of his neighbours, including a child. He was also accused of practising black magic.

Habil Sindhu was arrested by police following a complaint registered with Jashipur police station in 2003.
In 2005, the Additional District and Sessions Judge convicted Habil Sindhu for committing three murders and sentenced him to life time imprisonment.

However, Habil Sindhu challenged the district court’s judgment in the high court. Considering the sensitivity of the case, the top court appointed an amicus curiae to probe the case.

After going through the 32-page investigation report and statements by the witnesses, the high court found no evidence against the accused. The investigation reports were then handed over to the district and sessions court.

Habil Sindhu was found innocent during the investigation, following which the court ordered to release him on 16 December, 2021.

Speaking with mediapersons, Habil Sindhu said, “I am very happy today as the court announced my ‘clearance’ and freed me. I have spent 19 important years of my life in jail, which is indeed a long time. Though I have a family, they have rejected me. But, I will return to the village and engage myself in farming.”

Advocate and human rights activist Arbind Das said, “Although he was found innocent and cleared of all charges by court, he had spent the crucial 18 years and 11 months languishing in jail for no crime done by him.”

“He has lost his youth and family members after being wrongly convicted. Who will be answerable to the trauma caused to Sindhu in all these 19 years, who will take responsibility for all this?” Arbind said.