A local court in West Champaran, Bihar, has delivered a major ruling in the kidnapping and murder of a 12-year-old girl named Durga Kumari. The Bagaha civil court found the accused woman, Gyanti Devi, guilty of the heinous crime and sentenced her to life imprisonment. Along with the life term for murder, the court slapped a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the convict. In addition, she received a seven-year jail sentence and a fine of Rs 10,000 under the kidnapping charges. The court clarified in its formal order that both prison sentences will run concurrently.
Verdict Delivered by District and Additional Sessions Court
The criminal proceedings were conducted before the District and Additional Sessions Court in Bagaha. During the trial, the prosecution presented key eyewitness testimonies, documentary evidence, and investigative findings to establish the sequence of events. After evaluating the arguments and the material placed on record, the judge held Gyanti Devi guilty of both abduction and murder. The court subsequently pronounced a life term with an economic penalty of Rs 1 lakh for taking the young girl's life, and a distinct seven-year imprisonment accompanied by a Rs 10,000 fine for the unlawful kidnapping.
Origins of the Case at Gobarhiya Police Station
The legal action stems from Gobarhiya Police Station Case Number 16/025. Following the minor victim's sudden disappearance, her father, Shankar Manjhi, lodged a formal police complaint. He stated that his daughter was lured away under false pretenses, kidnapped, and subsequently killed. The traumatised family had repeatedly appealed to the police and administrative authorities seeking a swift probe and strict punishment for those responsible. On November 4, 2025, the family received the tragic news of the child's death through a local village watchman, plunging the entire household and neighbourhood into deep grief. The local police then registered the formal case, gathered material clues from the ground, and proceeded with legal action that ultimately led to the arrest and framing of charges against the accused woman.
Default on Penalty to Result in Additional Prison Term
The court explicitly noted in its sentencing directive that failure to pay the stipulated fines would result in additional default prison time for the convict. However, the period of judicial custody that Gyanti Devi has already served during the investigation and trial phases will be set off against the total term of incarceration. This judicial decision marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in the case, bringing long-awaited legal closure to the bereaved family in West Champaran.
