Orissa gallows being readied for execution

Nearly nine years after a convict was executed in Circle Jail in Berhampur, Orissa, the gallows are being readied again.

The arrangements are being made to execute Dayanidhi Bisoi of Kakiriguma village in Koraput district, who was sentenced to death for killing his wife Aniruddha Sahu and their three-year-old daughter at Jeypore in 1998.

Bisoi was sentenced to death by the additional sessions judge, Jeypore, three years ago, a decision upheld by the Orissa high court on September 23, 2002, and subsequently confirmed by the Supreme Court last month, official sources said.

The apex court had fixed August 23, 2003, for the execution.

Bisoi is likely to file a mercy petition before the President through the jail authorities, Sibabrata Ghosh, the welfare officer of the jail, said.

He was brought to Circle Jail on August 1, as this was the only prison in the state with gallows.

During the pre-Independence era, the British had executed legendary freedom fighter and tribal leader Laxman Nayak in Circle Jail.

Incidentally, the last convict to be executed in Circle Jail was also named Laxman Nayak, who was sentenced to death for rape and murder.