Kollam, First Published May 24, 2022, 12:29 AM IST
Kollam: The court will today sentence Kiran Kumar, a convicted husband in the Vismaya case, for committing suicide following dowry harassment. The court had yesterday found Kiran guilty in the case. The court ruled that Kiran had committed crimes punishable by up to seven years to life in prison. The sentencing hearing will begin at 11 am in the Kollam Additional District Sessions Court. The court is expected to announce the verdict by noon. The prosecution wants Kiran to be sentenced to life imprisonment. Defendant contends that the sentence should be commuted on the basis of age.
The Kollam District Additional Sessions Court yesterday ruled that all the major charges once morest Vismaya’s husband Kiran, including dowry torture and incitement to suicide, stand. The court had said that five of the seven charges once morest Kiran Kumar by the police would stand. The court upheld sections 304 (b) of IPC, 498 (a) of domestic violence, sections 306 of IPC once morest incitement to suicide and sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. Only sections 506 and 323 of the IPC were rejected. Kiran Kumar’s bail was canceled by the court following he was found guilty. He was later transferred to jail. The investigating officer responded that the court ruling was an endorsement of the investigation conducted through scientific means.
‘Daughter gets justice, hopes for maximum punishment’; The mother of Vithumbi Vismaya
Defendant Kiran Kumar and Vismaya’s father Trivikraman Nair were present in the court to hear the verdict. Vismaya’s mother Sajitha came to know regarding the verdict through TV. The verdict came less than a year following Vismaya’s death. The court proceedings were speedy in the case which touched the conscience of the community. According to the prosecution case, Kiran’s husband, who was also a motor vehicle department official, committed suicide as he might not bear the torture inflicted on him for dowry.
On June 21, 2021, BAMS student Vismaya was found dead in her husband’s house. There were 42 witnesses in the case. Kollam Additional Sessions Court Judge KN Sujith delivered the verdict yesterday following examining 120 documents and 12 bribes. Defendant tried to prove in court that the case was fabricated and that Vismaya had committed suicide because of problems with his own father. Meanwhile, Vismaya’s voice conversation regarding her husband’s harassment at home came out. The phone conversation with his father Trivikraman Nair was submitted to the court by the prosecution as important evidence.
Minister Veena George said the court verdict was comforting
Many dignitaries in the political and cultural arena of Kerala welcomed the verdict yesterday. Minister Veena George said it was comforting that the court had found Kiran Kumar guilty in the Vismaya case. It will strengthen the fight to end the evil practice of dowry. The Minister said that the activities of the probe team and the prosecution, which carried out the antiquated investigation and confirmed the sentence, deserve special mention.
Case in point: Equality needs to be raised, some still keep women away: Governor
Governor Arif Mohammad Khan’s response was that it was not important that the accused be convicted in the Vismaya case. It is unfortunate that such a situation has arisen. Awareness regarding equality is very important in Kerala society. “Women are equally important,” he said.
At the same time, the chairperson of the Kerala Women’s Commission, Adv. P Satidevi said. Sathi Devi hoped that the court would issue a verdict in the Vismaya case as desired by the Kerala community.
Kiran Kumar’s dismissal opens eyes; Antony Raju complains of harassment in motor vehicle department
Last Updated May 24, 2022, 12:29 AM IST
