Justice After 22 Years: Dhanraj Surana and Two Others Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in Munna Mazumder Case

In a significant verdict delivered on Wednesday, the court of the Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track Court), Cachar, presided over by Bankim Sharma, sentenced three persons to life imprisonment in the much-discussed Munna Mazumder murder case of 2004.

The convicted include cloth trader Dhanraj Surana, a resident of Swarupa Complex in Janiganj, Silchar, along with his two employees, namely, Ratan Debnath and Rinku Deb alias Madhusudan Deb, both residents of Udharbond. The deceased, Munna Mazumder, was a resident of Shiv Colony in Silchar and was employed at Surana Garments, owned by Dhanraj Surana.

According to case records, on November 5, 2004, Munna Mazumder was taken to Silchar Medical College and Hospital by Dhanraj and the two employees, where he was declared dead. The circumstances surrounding his death sparked widespread suspicion and unrest.

Following the incident, tension gripped the town, and the administration was compelled to impose curfew to control the deteriorating law and order situation. The case drew massive public attention and remained one of the most talked-about criminal cases in Cachar.

Amid the tense atmosphere, Munna’s sister, Ratna Mazumder, lodged an FIR alleging that her brother had been murdered. In her complaint, she named Dhanraj Surana, Ratan Debnath and Rinku Deb as the accused.

Police initiated an investigation, gathered evidence and subsequently filed a charge sheet. The case was committed to the Sessions Court, where trial proceedings continued over the years.

After completion of the trial and examination of witnesses and evidence, the Fast Track Court on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) convicted all three accused under Sections 302/34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with murder committed with common intention.

The court sentenced Dhanraj Surana, Ratan Debnath and Rinku Deb to life imprisonment. Additionally, each convict has been fined Rs. 20,000. In default of payment of the fine, they will have to undergo an additional six months of simple imprisonment.

With this verdict, the long-pending case that dates back over two decades has finally reached its judicial conclusion, bringing a sense of closure to the family of the deceased.