Baitul, Mar 19: Multai fast track court in Betul, Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday, sentenced 44 people to life imprisonment for the killing of 5 people - including 2 women - from a single family of their own village. The incident took place in 2004 when 3 people from Hangri Lohar family were burnt alive.

The family was reported to be from a criminal background and were a source of distress for the entire village. After one offence the enraged villagers attacked the family and burnt 3 people alive.

Afterwards, 2 people from the same people appeared in the court as witnesses against those involved in the crime. Subsequently the two were also attacked and burnt to death.

The case was brought to the court's notice by Human right activists.