DNA, audio evidence crack 2020 double murder: three get life sentence

By Sumesh Rajan | March 05, 2025

A Court in West Bengal state of India sentenced three individuals to life imprisonment on March 3 for the 2020 double murder of an elderly couple in Habra, North 24 Parganas district in the state. A breakthrough DNA analysis of cigarette butts and audio recordings helped police crack the case, leading to the conviction of Banti Sandhu, his wife Nibedita Sandhu, and hired shooter Ajay Das.

Forensic Breakthrough Secures Conviction

Ram Krishna Mondal and Lila Rani Mondal were found shot dead in their home on September 16, 2020. Investigators discovered cigarette butts at the crime scene, which were later sent for DNA analysis. The results matched samples from Banti Sandhu and Ajay Das, confirming their presence at the scene.

Further evidence surfaced in the form of an audio clip retrieved from Das’s mobile phone, which contained detailed discussions about the murder. According to police, Das had secretly recorded conversations with Banti and Nibedita Sandhu as a safeguard against being betrayed.

On March 3, 2025, the Barasat Court found all three guilty under sections 302 (murder), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. Special Public Prosecutor Bivas Chatterjee said forensic experts verified the accused’s voices, making the digital evidence a crucial factor in the case.

Debt, Greed, and a Failed Cover-Up

Investigators revealed that Banti and Nibedita Sandhu were in debt, owing approximately Rs 7 lakh (US$ 8,400), and had been pressuring the Mondals to sell their property. After their refusal, the couple allegedly planned the murder, hiring Ajay Das for Rs 50,000 (US$ 600).

Das was instructed on how to enter the house via the terrace. On the night of the attack, Banti was present when Das fatally shot the couple. In a botched cover-up attempt, Banti tried to frame a neighbor by exploiting the confusion following the crime.

Forensic analysis of the firearms recovered from Das confirmed they were used in the attack, while further evidence suggested an attempt to poison the couple’s drinking water before the shooting.

Justice Served

Despite the prosecution’s appeal for the death penalty, the court sentenced all three to life imprisonment. Chatterjee emphasized the case as a milestone in forensic investigation, stating that a combination of traditional and digital evidence played a decisive role in securing justice.

“This case highlights the power of modern forensic techniques in solving complex crimes,” he said. “DNA evidence, voice matching, and digital forensic tools ensured the culprits were brought to justice.”

The ruling underscores the increasing role of forensic science in criminal investigations, reinforcing its significance in delivering convictions in high-profile cases.