Nine months after the gruesome rape and murder of Soumya shocked society’s conscience, the Thrissur Fast Track Court awarded death sentence to Govindachamy, the lone convict in the case.
According to the prosecution, Govindachamy, had pushed Soumya, 23, an employee with a private firm in Kochi, out of the Ernakulam-Shoranur passenger train (56608) on February 1 after attempting to rob her. He raped the seriously injured woman in woods nearby the railway track at Vallathole Nagar. She succumbed to injuries at the Thrissur Government Medical College Hospital on February 6.
Pronouncing the verdict on Friday Thrissur Fast Track Court K. Raveendra Babu said the planning of the accused in the case was diabolic and the execution was brutal.
Govindachamy was also sentenced to life imprisonment under Section 376 of IPC with a fine of Rs. 1 lakh. In default, he has to undergo simple imprisonment for two years.
The court also sentenced him to seven years of rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 1000 under Section 394 read with 397 IPC. He was further sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of three months under Section 447 of IPC. The multiple sentences shall run concurrently.
The death sentence under Section 302 of IPC was subjected to the confirmation of the High Court. The fine amount should be given to the legal heirs of the deceased as compensation.
The Judge said the brutal rape was one of the reasons for the death of Soumya.
“There is no legal or moral justification for the act of the accused. The nature of the crime was savage. Society’s conscience was completely shaken by the murder,” he said.
Soumya was in the hospital for six days on ventilator support in a vegetative state. Soumya’s pituitary gland was ruptured as the accused smashed her head against the wall of the train compartment when she resisted, the Judge noted.
“Govindachamy is habitual offender, who had already been convicted in eight cases [in Tamil Nadu]. This indicates that he is a menace to the society and is incapable of rehabilitation,” he added.
Defense lawyer said he would approach the High Court against the verdict of the Fast Track Court.
