A Chilling Crime Meets Its Verdict
In a long-awaited judgment, the Additional District Judge Court in Patnagarh has sentenced Pujilal Meher, a former English lecturer and college principal, to life imprisonment for orchestrating the 2018 Patnagarh parcel bomb blast—a horrific crime that took two lives and left a young bride grievously injured. The sentencing marks a pivotal moment in one of Odisha’s most sensational and sinister criminal cases.
The Shocking Incident: A Deadly Wedding Gift
On February 23, 2018, joy turned into horror in the town of Patnagarh, Balangir district, when Soumya Sekhar Sahu, a newlywed software engineer, received what appeared to be a wedding gift. As he opened the parcel alongside his wife Reema and grandmother Jemamani Sahu, a powerful explosion ripped through the room.
The blast killed Soumya and his 85-year-old grandmother on the spot. Reema, who sat just inches away, suffered life-threatening injuries—physically surviving, but emotionally scarred for life.
The Mastermind: A Crime Rooted in Revenge
What followed was a meticulous and challenging investigation that revealed an unexpected and disturbing truth: the mastermind behind the parcel bomb was Pujilal Meher, the former principal of Jyoti Vikas College, where Soumya’s mother, Sanjukta Sahu, had replaced him.
Driven by professional jealousy and personal vendetta, Meher spent months plotting his revenge. Investigators found he had conducted online research on explosives, purchased chemicals, and crafted a bomb inside a parcel under a false identity. He traveled to Raipur to post the package, using every tactic to cover his tracks and mislead investigators.
The plan was cold, calculated, and designed to devastate.
The Legal Battle: A Verdict Seven Years in the Making
After seven years of investigation and legal proceedings, the court has finally delivered justice. A total of 62 witnesses were examined, and the accused himself was questioned in depth. The evidence, from forensic traces to digital trails, built an ironclad case against Meher.
On May 27, 2025, the court sentenced Meher to life imprisonment, along with a fine of ₹50,000. He was escorted from Balangir jail to Patnagarh Court under tight security, marking the end of a prolonged and painful chapter for the victim’s family.
Repercussions and Reflections: A Message Beyond the Verdict
The Patnagarh parcel bomb case is not just a crime story—it’s a wake-up call. It underscores how personal vendettas, if left unchecked, can morph into acts of domestic terrorism. The meticulous planning, intellectual capability, and remorseless execution shown by Meher reveal how even educated individuals can weaponize knowledge for destruction.
The judgment also raises critical questions about mental health, workplace dynamics, and the emotional intelligence of those in leadership roles. It sends a strong signal that no grudge justifies murder, and that the wheels of justice, though slow, will catch up with even the most cunning of offenders.
Justice That Speaks Beyond the Courtroom
With this verdict, the court has not only delivered justice to the victims’ families but also set a precedent for how such cases must be treated—with seriousness, scientific rigor, and compassion for survivors.
The life sentence for Pujilal Meher is more than punishment—it’s an alarm bell for those who might think of taking a dark path out of envy or spite. No act of revenge can escape the long arm of the law. Society must remain vigilant, not just in detecting crimes, but in addressing the emotional turmoil and toxic ambitions that often precede them.
Justice has been done—but the lessons must echo beyond the courtroom.
(With agency inputs)
