Kerala rape-murder: Death sentence for 30-year-old

On her way home in Palakkad district on the night of February 1,Soumya,who worked in a shopping mall,was travelling in an almost empty,unguarded ladies compartment of a train when Govindachamy assaulted her near Shornur railway station.

According to the prosecution,Govindachamy,disabled in one hand,tried to snatch Soumyas chain after sneaking into the compartment. When she resisted,he pushed her off the train. He too jumped from the train,dragged her to a parallel track and hit her head with a stone. After she fell unconscious,he raped her. After a few days,Soumya succumbed to injuries in hospital.

Police located Govindachamy after tracking the mobile phone which he had stolen from the victim.

Apart from the death sentence and fine of Rs 1 lakh for murder IPC 302,the accused was delivered life imprisonment for rape IPC 376,seven-year imprisonment for hurting during robbery and robbery IPC 394,397 and three-month imprisonment for trespassing into ladies compartment IPC 444. The quantum of punishment would run concurrently.

The police found that Govindachamy had been jailed in Tamil Nadu in many cases,sentence period ranging from 45 days to three years.

A large section of people in Kerala had been emotionally attached to the case. Govindachamy had been stoned several times when produced in court. Sensing the mood,Kerala lawyers were reluctant to appear for him.

Mumbai-based advocate B A Aloor appeared for Govindachamy,saying he was assigned the case by Govindachamys friends,but refused to give details on his fee.