Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Man gets life term for murdering wife

Thiruvananthapuram: Fast track court judge S. Soman has convicted a man found guilty of killing his wife. The court sentenced Sasikumar of Nedumangadu to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life after he was found responsible for inflicting fatal burns on his wife, Rajani.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch, P. Reghu said the woman’s dying declaration proved crucial.

He said Sasikumar had initially tried to escape responsibility for his wife’s murder by stating she had attempted suicide by setting herself on fire using kerosene.

Sasikumar, who sustained minimal burns on his hand, said he had tried to save her. Rajani was admitted with fatal burns to the hospital on May 25, 2002.

Rajani told the magistrate from her hospital bed that Sasikumar had tried to kill her.

She said her husband wrongfully suspected her of having an illicit relationship with a youth in her neighbourhood.

She said the crime was committed when her children were not at home. Rajani died two days after giving her “dying declaration”. Government lawyer S.K. Pramod prosecuted the case.

Sasikumar requested the court to take charge of his two minor children. The court accepted his request.

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