Kolhapur court sentences man to life for murdering friend in ‘cruel and unusual manner’

Kolhapur: A 40‑year‑old man, Sandeep Mane, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by Kolhapur's chief district and sessions judge Kavita Agrawal for murdering his friend in a case dating back to June 2022. The court observed that the accused acted in a "cruel and unusual manner" while committing the crime. Mane has been in judicial custody since his arrest in 2022.The incident took place under the jurisdiction of the Karvir police station, where Mane allegedly stabbed his friend Bharat Naik (28) following a petty dispute. Naik later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment, leading to the murder charge against Mane.According to the prosecution, on the evening of June 24, 2022, Naik called Mane "savkar" (money lender) while Mane, a centring contractor, was counting money. Mane reportedly told Naik that the cash was meant to pay workers' salaries, which led to a verbal altercation. Naik then went home, but later returned to Juni Sonatalli village with another person, where another scuffle broke out.During the clash, Mane allegedly pulled out a sharp knife and stabbed Naik in the stomach and neck. One of Naik's friends tied a handkerchief around his neck to stop the bleeding and rushed him to the CPR Hospital, where Naik died the next morning while undergoing treatment.The case was registered under sections 307, 323, 504 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code. The prosecution was led by Manjusha Patil, additional public prosecutor.