In one of the fastest ever trials in Bihar, a court in record 18 days awarded life sentence to nine persons for kidnapping an eminent doctor on February 7.

The Fast Track Court headed by District and Session Judge Arun Kumar Srivastava on Thursday convicted the nine for kidnapping doctor Shashi Kumar Sinha and his driver from Tilauthu area of Rohtas district.

The judge also directed the state government to pay the victims compensation as well as the money that was paid as ransom to the kidnappers, by recovering the entire amount from the movable and immovable property of the convicts.

Describing the judgment as a morale booster for the police whose image was at stake because of the kidnapping, Superintendent of Police of Rohtas N H Khan said the judgment would help the police further improve law and order situation in the district.

The SP said on February 24, the son of the kidnapped doctor paid Rs 12 lakh at Ranchi to the abductors for the safe release of his father. However, the kidnappers did not keep their promise and demanded another Rs 10 lakh for his release.

Following the fresh demand, the police came into the picture and constituted a task force that freed the doctor on March 10.