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It’s a victory for the common man. The verdict has conveyed a stern message to society that such acts shouldn’t be repeated.

Nagpur: A fast-track court in Bhandara on Wednesday pronounced the death sentence for six of the eight persons convicted of killing four members of a Dalit family in Khairlanji two years ago. The other two nailed for the massacre, one of the worst atrocities on Dalits, got life terms.

Those sentenced to death by additional sessions judge S S Das in a packed courtroom were Sakru Binjewar, Shatrughna Dhande, Vishwanath Dhande, Ramu Dhande, Jagdish Mandlekar and Prabhakar Mandlekar. Gopal Binjewar and Shishupal Dhande were given life imprisonment for killing Bhaiyyalal Bhotmange’s wife Surekha, daughter Priyanka and sons Sudhir and Roshan.

On September 15, the court had held eight of the 11 accused guilty of murder, unlawful assembly, rioting and destruction of evidence. The eight accused were also sentenced to three years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 9,000 each for offences committed under various sections of the IPC. All the sentences will run concurrently.

While holding the accused guilty, the judge dismissed the argument that the killings had been driven by caste hatred. He acquitted all the accused of the charge of molesting the women and also for offences under the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The sentences brought a smile to Bhotmange’s face, who had endured a long and torturous wait for justice. As he walked out of the courtroom, he flashed the victory sign to everyone outside.

Finally, after a long wait of almost two years, I got justice. I thank the state government for this. But I want all the 46 accused in the case to be hanged.