Neyyattinkara, Kerala: Among the young women in Kerala, Greeshma 24 years is now considered the most youthful woman to be sentenced to death for murder. She was convicted of killing her boyfriend Sharon Raj in 2022 by the Neyyattinkara Additional District Court. The execution of Rajamma makes this the second time that a woman has been given this punishment in Kerala.
The court held that Greeshma, ‘s Seduced Sharon into taking an ayurvedic drink which was contaminated with pesticide, resulting in the death of the later through multiple organ failure. The murder was described as first-degree, and the judge dismissed her plea for mitigation based on performance, as well as family background.
The One That Involved Pre–Mediation plus a ‘Stab In The Back’
Greeshma, a final year literature student, from Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, had been dating Sharon, a final year BSc radiology student, for more than a year. Although the prosecution told the court that her family had set her up to a different man to marry and that made her plot against Sharon. The plot was developed by Greeshma’s uncle known as Nirmalakumaran Nair, and her mother for the crime.
Sharon dies on October 25, 2022, as a result of the multiple organ failure after drinking the poisoned drink. The court observed that Greeshma tried to cover the increasing signs that Sharon might die by hiding the poison bottle. Her actions, the court stated were proof of premeditation and breach of trust.
Greeshma faced charges under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:
- Section 302 (Murder)
- Section 364 (Abduction with intent to murder)
- Section 328 (Administering poison)
- Section 203 (Obstruction of justice)
Her arrest on the 31st of October, 2022 a week before this paper was written was by the Kerala police after a thorough investigation.
A Severe Implementation of Punishment
The verdict helps make Greeshma the second woman in Kerala to get a death sentence. The first one was the killing of Vidhukumaran Thampy in Kollam in 2006. Another latest one was the Rafeeka Beevi who was awarded capital punishment in the 2024 Vizhinjam Santhakumari murder case and both the compositions were prepared by the one bench Judge A M Basheer.
The court stressed on the facts that were in the incident and rejected her defence arguments entirely due to the extremities of the crime committed by Greeshma. Greeshma had alleged that she was mimicking the kind of conduct due to emotional distress and physical abuse by Sharon. The court did not find any substantiation to these allegations.
In its ruling, the court emphasized the gravity of her betrayal, stating:
“This act I agree with the prosecution was not only premeditated but also calculated her betrayal on someone who loved her. All such crimes should be dealt with utmost force that will act as a deterrent measure, to the perpetrators.
A Community Divided
The case has caused much uproar in all circles With much political upheaval in Kerala. While some have praised the court’s discretion as a punitive verdict some have queried the uncompromising death penalty especially for a juvenile.
Legal scholars have also chimed in pointing to the event as a growing sign of a need for solving relationship issues without aggression.
Prehistory of the Victim and the Accused
Sharon a promising and intelligent young man with dreams of working in a radiology department. The family of the deceased gentleman said that the verdict was a relief and that it had brought them justice even though the verdict cannot resurrect the man.
On the hand Greeshma was an academic achiever and was the only daughter of her parents. The setting she came from has raised eyebrows with many wondering how such a promising working woman could end up as a criminal.
The Road Ahead
It remains to be seen that Greeshma’s legal team will appeal against judgement in superior courts. But legal experts, critics have argued that reversing such a decision may be difficult especially given stiff evidence and profound rationales given by the court of appeal.
Even as this case unfolds, it is a sad indictment of the state and the premeditated heinous crime that individuals with personal rivalry must avoid taking the law into their own hands.
“Stay updated with the latest news and insights – follow us at YPBB News on X for real-time updates and exclusive stories!”
