Odisha woman cleared of husband’s murder ‘overjoyed’ to meet kin after 12 years

ROURKELA: After spending 12 years of a life imprisonment in jail on charges of murdering her husband, Sunita Mundari (64) was surprised and happy in equal measure when the Orissa high court acquitted her on Thursday, ruling the trial court judgment was a “miscarriage of justice”.
“I had never expected I would be released. Based on the order of the honourable court, I was released from Rourkela (special) jail on Thursday evening and have come to my daughter’s house,” said Sunita on Friday.She said she was overjoyed to meet her daughter and two grandchildren.
Sunita, who has difficulty in speaking and walking due to a paralytic attack five years ago, said her life in prison was difficult and painful due to her poor health but praised the jail officials for their treatment.
Sunita’s other daughter and younger son, who died in a road accident in April, used to visit her in jail with food. “Had my younger son been alive today, he would have been very happy to see me at home,” said Sunita, her voice choking.
Sunita said she noticed significant changes in her Jhirpani village and Rourkela in the intervening 12 years.
Pinky, who is married and lives with her children in Mundari Basti, expressed happiness at her mother’s release. “I am very happy because my mother is now with me. I had never expected she would be freed and will return home one day,” said Pinky. She thanked the court for ordering her mother’s release and vowed to take care of her ailing mother.
According to the prosecution, Sunita poured kerosene on her husband, Mangal Mundari, and set him on fire on June 28, 2011. Mangal succumbed to severe burn injuries.
Sunita was sentenced to life imprisonment by the court of additional sessions judge, Rourkela, on Dec 20, 2012. She filed a jail criminal appeal in the HC on Apr 3, 2014.