TUMKUR: A fast track court in Tumkur sentenced serial killer “Cyanide” Mallika alias Kempamma to death on Tuesday.
The judge S N Kempagouder awarded death penalty to Kempamma for killing Muniyamma (60) of Chikkabommasandra in a lodge at the temple town of Yediyur, near Kunigal, on December 15, 2007.
According to police, after having befriended Muniyamma on December 13, 2007, Kempamma informed her that she could get rid of her troubles if rituals were performed at the temples of Hattilakkammadevi and Yediyur Siddalingeshwara.
Believing her words Muniyamma decided to accompany her to the temple in Yediyur.
Upon reaching Yediyur, both of them stayed in a lodge.
As the puja began, Kempamma asked Muniyamma to close her eyes and pray.
As soon as Muniyamma shut her eyes, Kempamma thrust cyanide powder into her mouth and killed her.
Kempamma ensured the victim breathed her last and then decamped with the jewellery of the victim.
This was the method she adopted to kill all her victims, six in all. After lying low for eight years since her first murder in 1999, she killed five others in a span of 48 days, including four in eight days.
Circle police inspector Balarame Gowda had investigated the case and filed a chargesheet. Special Public Prosecutor M S Harishbabu appeared on behalf of the government.
It was a story of a greedy woman who killed god fearing women for gain. She turned to crime after her chit business went bust. Arguably the first woman serial killer of the country Mallika, who abandoned the bodies of the women after killing them, looked less bothered when she was handed the sentence.
She seemed to be prepared for any punishment and was found begging for the death penalty which seemed unusual to the legal fraternity.
Though she looked strong mentally an hour after the sentence, she could not control herself and began to sob while exchanging pleasantries with a policewoman.
This is because she was afraid her children, in particular her son, a car driver in Bangalore, may get upset watching the news of her being sentenced to death.
One of her daughters has done her masters degree and another a diploma in fashion designing.