In a chilling case of a relationship gone horribly wrong, a local court in Kerala has sentenced a 24-year-old woman, Greeshma, to death for poisoning her boyfriend in an attempt to sever ties with him. The sentence, delivered on Monday, comes nearly two years after the gruesome crime took place in 2022.

The court found Greeshma guilty of murdering her then 23-year-old boyfriend, Sharon Raj, by lacing an ayurvedic tonic with paraquat, a deadly herbicide. The victim succumbed to the poison after an agonizing 11-day battle in which he suffered multiple organ failures. The motive behind the crime was Greeshma’s desire to end the relationship after Raj reportedly refused to accept her decision to marry someone else.

Greeshma’s uncle, Nirmalakumaran Nair, was also convicted for his role in the case. He was found guilty of destruction of evidence, although Greeshma’s mother was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

The case was built on circumstantial, digital, and scientific evidence, including the toxicology report that confirmed the presence of paraquat in Raj’s body. Despite her defense, which included pleas citing her age, academic achievements, and lack of a criminal history, the court did not show leniency, deeming the crime as falling under the “rarest of the rare” category for which capital punishment is warranted.

The prosecution argued that Greeshma had previously attempted to kill Raj by mixing paracetamol tablets into his fruit juice. However, the plan failed when Raj refused to drink the bitter concoction. When that attempt did not succeed, she resorted to the deadly tonic, which led to his tragic demise.

Raj, a native of Parassala in Thiruvananthapuram district, was a BSc Radiology student at the time of his death. His family has expressed their relief following the verdict, while the victim’s lawyer, Special Public Prosecutor VS Vineeth Kumar, emphasized the importance of the death sentence, describing it as an exemplary judgment.

The court’s ruling sends a strong message about the severity of crimes involving premeditated murder, especially when it involves the use of poison and the betrayal of trust in a relationship.

In a heartwarming and private ceremony, former Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra has revealed his marriage to Himani Mor, a rising tennis star. The announcement came on Sunday via a social media post from Chopra himself, where he shared intimate moments from the wedding, held in Himachal Pradesh with just 40-50 close family and friends in attendance.

Neeraj, a two-time Olympic medallist, shared his gratitude on social media, stating, “Grateful for every blessing that brought us to this moment together. Bound by love, happily ever after.” His fans responded with warm wishes as the couple embarks on their new journey together. Neeraj also asked for support and blessings as they start this new chapter.

Who is Himani Mor?

Himani Mor, 25, hails from Sonipat, Haryana, and has made her name as a dedicated tennis player. She began her tennis journey at a young age and achieved notable success on both national and international stages. One of her major achievements includes winning a gold medal at the World Junior Tennis Championship in Malaysia in 2016. Her school, Little Angels School, laid the foundation for her love for sports.

Currently, Himani is pursuing a Master’s degree in Sports Management at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire, USA. She has a background in Political Science and Physical Education, having completed her undergraduate degree at Delhi’s prestigious Miranda House.

Her passion for tennis has not gone unnoticed in India. Mor has competed at national events, representing Delhi University, and participated in the 2017 World University Games in Taipei. According to the All India Tennis Association (AITA), her career best national rankings were 42 in singles and 27 in doubles in 2018. Additionally, she is also involved with Amherst College, Massachusetts, where she serves as an assistant coach for the women’s tennis team.

Family and privacy

The couple’s wedding has kept a low profile, with details only coming from Neeraj’s paternal uncle, Bhim Chopra, who lives in Khandra near Panipat. Bhim confirmed that the wedding took place in India, but the specific location was kept under wraps. He further mentioned that Neeraj and Himani are now on their honeymoon, although their travel destinations remain private.

While Neeraj’s sporting achievements have made him a household name globally, this marriage marks a new personal milestone for the Olympic champion. As fans continue to celebrate his success on the field, Neeraj and Himani’s new life together is already beginning to capture hearts.

As the Sealdah court gears up to pronounce the sentence for Sanjay Roy, convicted of the brutal rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, security measures have been bolstered to ensure no untoward incidents occur. With nearly 500 policemen deployed and multiple police vehicles escorting the convict, authorities are taking no chances.

At 10:15 AM, Roy, a former civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was escorted out of jail and brought to the court under heavy police protection. Despite the intense security, a sizable crowd gathered outside the courthouse, eager to witness the proceedings. Some even tried to scale the railings to catch a glimpse of the convicted murderer.

The victim’s parents, who arrived at the court in the morning, expressed faith in the judicial process. “We have faith in the judge,” said the father of the deceased doctor, his voice thick with emotion.

However, the victim’s mother had a different sentiment. While the father placed trust in the judicial system, the mother voiced her frustration with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). She alleged that the investigation had failed to bring all the culprits to justice. “Only one person has been caught, but the CBI has not managed to apprehend others involved in this heinous crime,” she said. “Such criminals should not be allowed to live if we are serious about stopping future crimes in society.”

The tragic murder of the young doctor, which occurred on August 9 of the previous year, sparked nationwide outrage and triggered widespread protests across the state. Roy was arrested a day after the incident, and the case was subsequently transferred to the CBI for further investigation.

Roy was found guilty of sexually assaulting the doctor and then strangling her to death. He was convicted under Sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which include provisions for rape, causing death, and murder. According to these provisions, Roy faces a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment for the rape, a minimum of 20 years for causing death, and a potential death sentence or life imprisonment for the murder conviction.

The sentencing will take place at 12:30 PM today, with Judge Anirban Das of the Additional District and Sessions Court, Sealdah, hearing Roy’s statement before announcing the quantum of punishment.