Serial killer sentenced to life

A local court has sentenced serial killer Mahanand Naik to life imprisonment in connection with the murder of Vasanti Gawde, who is believed to be his first victim.

A local court has sentenced serial killer Mahanand Naik to life imprisonment in connection with the murder of Vasanti Gawde, who is believed to be his first victim.

HT Image

Additional District and Sessions Court yesterday convicted Mahanand for life and also imposed a fine of Rs 1.3 lakh, which will be given to the family of the victim.

Fourty-year-old Mahanand had killed Vasanti on September 11, 1995, by luring her to an isolated place at Bethora village, 35 kilometres away from Panaji, Goa.

She was strangulated to death using a dupatta by the killer, who robbed her off all her gold ornaments.

Mahanand, who used to drive an auto-rickshaw, was seen by Vasanti's cousin, travelling with her in Ponda city.

Police stated that in 1995, Mahanand was picked up as a suspect in Vasanti's case but was later let off giving him the benefit of doubt.

The serial killer since then has killed 16 women during 1995-2009 when he was finally arrested for raping his wife's friend.

The court convicted Mahanand or abduction, robbery, murder and destroying evidence and fined him for Rs 1.3 lakh.

This was his second conviction as he is already undergoing life imprisonment in a similar murder case.