Thiruavananthapuram: A 24-year-old Kerala woman, Greeshma, was sentenced to death for murdering her boyfriend, Sharon Raj, 23, by poisoning him with an ayurvedic tonic laced with a herbicide in 2022.
The Neyyattinkara Additional District Sessions Court found Greeshma guilty of plotting the murder after Sharon refused to end their relationship when her marriage was arranged with an army man from Tamil Nadu.
The court rejected Greeshma's plea for leniency, citing the severity of the crime and her premeditated actions. Greeshma had attempted to poison Sharon earlier by mixing paracetamol tablets in fruit juice, but he refused to consume it due to the bitter taste.
Greeshma's uncle, Nirmalakumaran Nair, was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment for destruction of evidence. The death sentence imposed on Greeshma will be subject to confirmation by the Kerala High Court.
The court observed that Greeshma's actions - inviting Sharon over under the pretext of sexual intimacy and then committing the crime - were premeditated and cannot be ignored.
The court rejected Greeshma's plea for leniency, citing the gravity of the crime and her emotional manipulation of Sharon. Greeshma had attempted to poison Sharon earlier, but he had refused to consume the poisoned drink due to its bitter taste.
Greeshma was sentenced to death, becoming the youngest woman to face capital punishment in Kerala. Her uncle, Nirmalakumaran Nair, was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment for obstructing justice.
The case highlights the devastating consequences of emotional manipulation in relationships. The court emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for premeditated crimes, regardless of their age or background.
Greeshma and Sharon Raj met while studying at a private college in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari district. Greeshma was a literature student, while Sharon was pursuing a degree in radiology. The two were in a close relationship for over a year before drifting apart.
Greeshma's family had arranged her marriage to another man from Kerala, prompting her to seek an end to the relationship. However, Sharon was unwilling to let go.
The prosecution alleged that Greeshma conspired with her uncle, Nirmalakumaran Nair, and her mother to murder Sharon. Nair was sentenced to three years in prison.
As Sharon's health deteriorated due to poisoning, Greeshma attempted to conceal the evidence. Sharon eventually succumbed to multiple organ failure on October 25, 2022. Greeshma was arrested by Kerala police on October 31, 2022.
The death sentence imposed on Greeshma is not final yet, as it requires confirmation from the Kerala High Court. The case proceedings will be forwarded to the high court for review.
Additionally, Greeshma and her uncle, Nirmalakumaran Nair, have the option to appeal against the judgment and sentence within 30 days. This means they can challenge the verdict and potentially seek a reduced sentence or acquittal.
