Special Public Prosecutor Ram G Tahilramani told the court that Ushadevi Munna Upadhaya, Laxman Indar Singh, Mahadeo alias Pinto Baburao Kamble and Natwarlal Kanhayyalal Jaiswal had killed Rajiv Bhattacharya in August 20, 1997 at the behest of his brother-in-law Swarajranjan Das who was also murdered last year.

Das had separated from his wife Runu, Rajiv's sister. She allegedly absconded with Rs 15 lakh in cash and jewellery worth Rs five lakh. Seeking revenge Das, employed with Air-India, gave the contract of killing his brother-in-law to Ushadevi for Rs one lakh.

Usha and her associates stabbed Rajiv 42 time at Srilanka Nagar at Malad Link Road on August 20, 1997. Minutes later they were spotted fleeing by a police constables Anton D'Souza and Chandrakant Tawade of the Malad police station. The duo chased the killers who weretrying to flee in an autorickshaw and managed to nab them.

The policemen noticing blood stains on the killers' clothes questioned them. The contract killers confessed to their crime and led the cops to Bhattacharya who was still alive. The dying man's statement was recorded.

The accused spilled the beans on Das who was arrested but later released on bail. However, Das and his father were murdered last year.

After hearing both the prosecution and defence, Additional Sessions Judge K U Chandiwal awarded life sentence to all the four accused. Usha's husband Munna Upadhaya who was also an accused was earlier discharged from the case due to lack of evidence.