Mon Jan 19 16:55:13 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Alphonse Saldanha Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for 2020 Double Murder in Mangaluru
The Story:
On January 19, 2026, Alphonse Saldanha, 52, was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Mangaluru sessions court for the murder of Vincey alias Vincent D’souza and his wife Helen D’souza. The murders occurred in April 2020 in Elinje Village, Mangaluru taluk. In addition to the life sentence, Saldanha was fined ₹2 lakh for the murder, and further penalties were imposed for criminal intimidation and wrongful restraint under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). All sentences will run concurrently.
The court directed that ₹1 lakh of the fine be paid as compensation to the children of the deceased couple, while the remaining ₹5,000 be remitted to the State. The District Legal Services Authority was also instructed to consider additional compensation for the children under the Victim Compensation Scheme.
Key Points:
- Alphonse Saldanha, 52, sentenced to life imprisonment for double murder.
- Victims: Vincey alias Vincent D’souza and his wife Helen D’souza.
- Incident occurred in April 2020 in Elinje Village, Mangaluru.
- Motive: Dispute over tree branches falling onto the victim’s property.
- Saldanha also received sentences for criminal intimidation (Section 506 IPC) and wrongful restraint (Section 341 IPC).
- Court ordered ₹1 lakh compensation to the victims’ children from the fine amount.
- Prosecution examined 24 witnesses and produced 46 documents.
Key Takeaways:
- The case highlights the often-fatal consequences of neighborhood disputes escalating into violence.
- The court’s decision to provide compensation to the victims’ children underscores the importance of victim support in the justice system.
- The conviction demonstrates the effectiveness of the judicial process in bringing perpetrators of violent crimes to justice, even years after the event.
First Piper 