Mangaluru: In a significant verdict, the II additional district and sessions court in Mangaluru has convicted a 52-year-old man from Elinje village in Dakshina Kannada district in connection with a brutal double murder that took place in 2020. The judgment was delivered by II additional district and sessions judge Jagadeesh VN, who found the accused guilty of murdering his neighbour and the neighbour’s wife following a long-standing personal dispute.
The convicted man has been identified as Alphons Saldanha (52). The victims were his neighbour Vincy alias Vincent D’Souza (49) and Vincent’s wife Helen (43). The court has scheduled Wednesday for hearing arguments on the quantum of punishment.
Long-standing dispute led to fatal confrontation
According to the prosecution, Alphons Saldanha and Vincent D’Souza had frequent quarrels over trivial matters. One of the recurring issues involved a dispute over tree branches allegedly falling from Alphons’ property onto Vincent’s land. These disagreements, though minor in nature, reportedly created sustained hostility between the two neighbours.
The fatal incident occurred on April 29, 2020, at around 10 am. As per the case details, Alphons allegedly called Vincent to his house to discuss the issue related to the tree branches. However, the discussion soon escalated into a heated argument.
Sequence of events on the day of the murder
During the altercation, Alphons allegedly refused to remove the tree branches and challenged Vincent. He reportedly threatened Vincent with a shovel, escalating the confrontation. When Vincent attempted to restrain Alphons, the shovel fell to the ground.
The prosecution stated that Alphons, acting in a sudden fit of rage, went into his kitchen, picked up a knife and attacked Vincent. He allegedly stabbed Vincent multiple times while abusing him with foul language. Vincent collapsed at the spot due to the severity of the injuries.
Seeing her husband being attacked, Helen rushed forward in an attempt to protect him. However, Alphons allegedly turned on her and stabbed her as well. Vincent died on the spot, while Helen, though rushed for medical assistance, succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital.
Case registration and investigation
Following the incident, Mulki police registered a case under Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 504 (intentional insult), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code. The then Mulki police sub-inspector, Sheethal Alagoor, registered the case and initiated the investigation.
Material objects seized from the scene were sent for forensic examination. Dr Kasturi Odeyar conducted the postmortem examinations and submitted detailed medical and forensic reports, which played a crucial role in establishing the cause of death and the nature of the injuries.
The chargesheet was filed by police inspector Jayaram D Gowda after completion of the investigation.
Trial proceedings and evidence
The case was initially heard by the I additional district and sessions court under judge Mallikharjun Swami HS. During this phase of the trial, the prosecution examined 24 witnesses and marked 46 documents as evidence to substantiate the charges against the accused.
Subsequently, the case was transferred to the II additional district and sessions court. After evaluating the evidence, witness testimonies and forensic reports, judge Jagadeesh VN pronounced Alphons Saldanha guilty of the double murder.
Public prosecutor Judith OM Crasta represented the state and argued that the prosecution had successfully proved the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt. Police constable Kavya assisted the prosecution during the trial.
Defence plea rejected by court
The trial witnessed delays after the defence filed an application claiming that the accused was mentally unsound at the time of the incident. However, after considering medical opinions and relevant material, the court rejected the plea, holding that the accused was mentally fit and capable of understanding his actions.
The court observed that the nature of the crime, the sequence of events and the conduct of the accused did not support the claim of mental unsoundness.
Plea for compensation for orphaned children
Public prosecutor Judith OM Crasta said that the prosecution urged the court to award the highest possible compensation to the children of the deceased couple. The children were minors at the time of the incident and were rendered orphaned following the brutal killings.
She emphasised that apart from punishment to the accused, adequate compensation was necessary to support the future of the children, who lost both parents in a single violent act.
Conclusion
The conviction of Alphons Saldanha brings closure to a case that has haunted Elinje village for nearly six years. As the court prepares to hear arguments on sentencing, the verdict serves as a stern reminder of how unresolved personal disputes can escalate into irreversible tragedy. The final order on punishment and compensation is expected to be pronounced after Wednesday’s hearing.