**Life Sentence for 'Wedding Bomb' Perpetrator in Shocking Indian Case**

In a case that gripped the nation, Punjilal Meher was found guilty of orchestrating a deadly explosion disguised as a wedding gift.

In a harrowing conclusion to a case that sent shockwaves through India, Punjilal Meher, a 56-year-old former college principal from Odisha, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the infamous "wedding bomb" incident of 2018. Delivered as a supposed wedding gift, the parcel bomb tragically claimed the life of 26-year-old Soumya Sekhar Sahu and his great aunt, while leaving his newlywed wife, Reema, in critical condition.

The court found Meher guilty of murder, attempted murder, and the use of explosives, but stopped short of issuing the death penalty, despite acknowledging the gruesome nature of the crime. The incident occurred just days after Sahu's wedding, sending a profound sense of disbelief across the country.

The parcel, which arrived at the couple’s home in Patnagarh, Odisha, purportedly originated from Raipur, located over 230 kilometers away. As Soumya opened the parcel, it detonated, leading to devastating injuries and fatalities. Reema faced severe burns, trauma, and a punctured eardrum, while the tragedy inflicted emotional scars on a community that was still celebrating the couple’s union.

A lengthy investigation eventually led to Meher, who had a grudge against Sahu’s family stemming from professional rivalry at their shared college. Cleverly concealing his identity, he utilized a false name and addressed the parcel to a fictitious sender. The authorities uncovered this carefully laid plan after thorough scrutiny of communication records and investigative leads, culminating in the discovery of an anonymous letter that hinted at the underlying motives.

The letter not only provided new insights into the crime but also implicated Meher. His handwriting was recognized by the victim's family, which reinforced the suspicions against him and unraveled the web of deceit he had woven. Ultimately, Meher confessed to crafting the bomb from Diwali firecrackers, executing the assault with premeditated malice while maintaining a facade of normalcy by attending both the wedding and the subsequent funeral.

This unsettling case highlights the nuances of human rivalry and the extreme lengths to which some may go. The ruling underlines that acts of vengeance, regardless of the perceived justification, have dire consequences for all involved, particularly innocents caught in the crossfire.