Mangaluru : The fourth additional district and sessions court judge Ramalinge Gowda awarded life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 3,000 each to six persons for the murder of Melrick D’Souza, 21.

Melrick was hacked to death by a gang of five, on December 25, 2017 at 1.10am, in retaliation to an attempt to murder Sandeep Shetty, 34, a resident of Jeppu Kudpady. Sandeep is accused of being a co-conspirator.

Providing details of the case, public prosecutor Harishchandra Udyavara, said the court has convicted Nishak Poojary, 30, Vinesh Kumar, 32, residents of Gorigudda, Sachin Shetty, 23, from Mulihithlu, Ganesh Kulal, 27, from Jeppinamogaruu, Praveen Poojary, 43, from Gorigudda and Sandeep Shetty.

Two years ago, a clash broke out between Marnamikatte and Monkey Stand group. On May 16, 2015, Melrick Antony D’Souza was accused of brutally assaulting Sandeep Shetty. He was arrested, but released on bail on the eve of Christmas, a day before he was hacked to death.

Melrick, a resident of Valencia- Gorigudda, lived in a small house with his grandmother Rosy, aged about 75. His brothers and mother worked abroad. He had gone to watch a cricket match with his friends to a nearby maidan. His friend Santhosh, the complainant in the case, had dropped him back home after which he was killed. As soon as he realised that a gang had surrounded his house, he called police and alerted Santhosh.

In the meantime, the gang on the instructions of Sandeep Shetty entered the house and assaulted Melrick with lethal weapons.

Police rushed Melrick to the hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

The court examined 30 witnesses and 54 documents. Mangaluru South inspector K U Belliappa led the investigation and filed a chargesheet.

“Melrick’s uncle and aunt stayed in a different house but in the same compound. However, they turned hostile in court. The key witness in the case was Melrick’s granny who unfortunately died a few days after her evidence was recorded before the court,” said the public prosecutor.

The court awarded life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 3,000 each to the six convicts under IPC Section 302 (murder). In addition they have been convicted under IPC sections 109 (abettment)- fine of Rs 3,000 each, 120 (b) (Criminal conspiracy)- Rs 3,000 fine each, 143 (unlawful assembly)- four months, 147 (rioting)- one year, 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon)- two years, 448 (house-trespass)- six months and 506 ( criminal intimidation)- one year. The court has directed that Rs 40,000 be paid to the mother of the victim.