
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The prosecution has sought the death penalty for S S Greeshma, the prime accused in the Parassala Sharon Raj murder case, highlighting the gravity and premeditated nature of the crime. The Neyyattinkara Additional Sessions Court, which concluded arguments on Saturday, will pronounce the sentence on Monday.
During Saturday’s hearing before Judge A M Basheer, the prosecution sought capital punishment, describing the crime as one of the rarest of rare cases. Special public prosecutor V S Vineeth Kumar argued that Greeshma betrayed Sharon’s trust by pretending to love him, gained his confidence, and then gave a herbal concoction laced with a lethal herbicide with the intention to kill him. The prosecution argued that the murder was premeditated and diabolical, with Greeshma researching the effects of Paraquat online to plan the act.
The prosecution highlighted the agony Sharon endured during the 11 days leading up to his death, marked by severe internal bleeding and organ failure. It added that such a heinous crime, which destroyed the sanctity of love, justified the maximum punishment to uphold societal conscience.
At 11am, Greeshma was brought to court, where the judge asked if she had anything to say before the sentencing. She submitted a written statement and was later called into the chambers for further inquiries.
Greeshma appealed for leniency, citing her young age, educational qualifications, lack of prior criminal history and desire to reform. She presented educational certificates and informed the court of her status as an English postgraduate with aspirations for further studies. Greeshma also mentioned that she is her parents’ only child and pleaded for the minimum punishment.
On Friday, Greeshma was found guilty of abduction, poisoning, murder and misleading the police. Greeshma’s uncle and third-accused Nirmalakumaran Nair was convicted for evidence tampering, while her mother Sindhu, the second-accused, was acquitted due to lack of evidence.
The defence, represented by Sasthamangalam Ajith Kumar, argued against the death penalty, stating that the evidence was circumstantial. It claimed that Greeshma, facing mental distress, had repeatedly tried to end her relationship with Sharon, but he refused and blackmailed her. They alleged Sharon had used private images to intimidate her and even recorded intimate visuals, causing her extreme mental trauma.
Prime accused appeals for leniency
Greeshma appealed for leniency, citing her young age, educational qualifications, lack of prior criminal history and desire to reform. She presented educational certificates and informed the court of her status as an English postgraduate with aspirations for further studies. Greeshma also mentioned that she is her parents’ only child and pleaded for the minimum punishment