Life Sentence for Punjilal Meher in Shocking Patnagarh Parcel Bomb Case

In a landmark decision, Punjilal Meher has been sentenced to life imprisonment for orchestrating the 2018 Patnagarh parcel bomb explosion that tragically claimed two lives. The court found him guilty of murder and attempted murder, among other charges. The incident, which occurred just days after the victim's wedding, involved a bomb disguised as a gift. Meher's actions stemmed from a personal vendetta, leading to a shocking act of violence against an unsuspecting family. This case highlights the serious implications of personal disputes escalating into criminal acts.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 28, 2025, 12:52 IST

Court Delivers Verdict in Patnagarh Bombing Incident

Patnagarh: In a significant ruling, a district court in Odisha has sentenced Punjilal Meher to life imprisonment for his role in the 2018 Patnagarh parcel bomb explosion that resulted in two fatalities and left another individual severely injured.

The Additional District Judge's court found Meher guilty of multiple charges, including murder (Section 302), attempted murder (Section 307), and destruction of evidence (Section 201) under the Indian Penal Code, as well as violations of the Explosive Substances Act. Additionally, he was fined Rs 50,000.

Prosecutors sought the death penalty, describing the act as a grave threat to society and executed with premeditated intent. However, the court determined that the circumstances did not qualify for the 'rarest of rare' category, opting instead for life imprisonment.

Meher was apprehended by the Odisha Crime Branch on April 24, 2018, following an investigation that revealed he orchestrated the bombing due to a long-standing feud with Sanjukta Sekhar, the mother of the deceased Soumya Sekhar.

The tragic incident occurred on February 23, 2018, just days after Soumya's wedding, when a parcel bomb disguised as a gift detonated as he and his grandmother, Jemamani, were unwrapping it at their home. Soumya and Jemamani lost their lives, while his wife, Reema Rani, suffered serious injuries but survived.

Reports indicate that Meher sent the parcel bomb as a wedding gift to Soumya's residence. The explosion took place while Soumya was opening the gifts in the presence of his wife and grandmother.

It is noteworthy that Meher had previously served as the Principal of Bhainsa College but was dismissed from his position after Sanjukta joined the institution. In a calculated act of revenge, he planned the bombing with the intent to harm the entire family.