Life Sentence for "Wedding Bomb" Plot in Odisha Shocks India**

Punjilal Meher, a former teacher, received a life sentence for orchestrating a bomb attack disguised as a wedding gift, resulting in the tragic deaths of Soumya Sekhar Sahu and his relative, sparking a nationwide investigation.**

In a shocking conclusion to a case that captivated India, a court in Odisha has sentenced Punjilal Meher, a 56-year-old former college principal, to life in prison for his role in a fatal bomb attack that resulted in the deaths of a newly married man and his great aunt. The incident, which occurred in February 2018, involved a parcel bomb disguised as a wedding gift, delivered to the couple just days after their marriage. The explosion claimed the life of Soumya Sekhar Sahu, 26, and fatally injured his 85-year-old great aunt, Jemamani Sahu. The young bride, Reema, suffered critical injuries while unwrapping the bomb.

The trial revealed a twisted tale of professional rivalry that led to what the court acknowledged as a heinous crime. However, the severity of the crime did not meet the threshold for a death sentence. The bombing took place in Patnagarh, Odisha, when the newlyweds were preparing lunch, just days post-wedding. The bomb, sent from Raipur in Chhattisgarh, was designed to explode upon opening.

Months of investigation led to the arrest of Meher, who was revealed to have held a longstanding grudge against the victim’s family due to professional jealousy. The bomb was a crude device, carefully disguised, and sent anonymously to avoid detection. After weeks of leads going cold, an anonymous letter received by police contained critical information, leading investigators to identify Meher as the prime suspect.

The investigation uncovered that Meher had meticulously orchestrated the crime, using a false identity to send the parcel and employing clever methods to evade detection. Despite claiming he was coerced into sending the letter, the evidence pointed directly towards his premeditated involvement. With these revelations, Meher's act of malice has now concluded with a life sentence, but the horrors of that Valentine's week remain etched in the memories of those affected.

This devastating case serves as a reminder of the depths of human rivalry and malice, resonating deeply in a society that values familial bonds and celebrations of love. As the dust settles, many in India continue to grapple with the implications of such violence infiltrating personal and joyous occasions.