Viswarajan, 22, accused in the rape and killing of 34-year-old R. Smitha, a native of Koippallykarayma near Kayamkulam, was awarded the death penalty by Mavelikkara additional district and sessions court-II on Thursday. The verdict was pronounced by judge A. Badharudheen after a nearly two-month-long trial. The trial started on April 9. Hearing the verdict, Vishwarajan, who had a hint of a smile on his face, bowed his head without any sign of remorse.
Additional public prosecutor S. Ramanan Pillai, who was appointed by the government for the victim, said that apart from the death penalty for murder, Vishwarajan had been awarded six months rigorous imprisonment for illegal detention and a `1 lakh fine as well. “If the fine is not remitted, he would have to bear an additional six months of rigorous imprisonment. The court has observed the case as being the rarest of rare. The verdict will help to spread the message about the consequences of an assault against women,” he said.
The incident relating to the case happened on October 24, 2011, at 7 pm while Smitha was on her way home from work. She was working with a private shop in Kayamkulam as a sales girl. Vishwarajan, who was in an inebriated condition, hid near Smitha’s home and raped her.
He then abandoned an unconscious Smitha in a marshy area. The incident took place just 200 m away from Smitha’s home. Viswarajan was living with his relatives whose home was near Smitha’s.
As many as 38 witnesses appeared before the court during the course of the trial.