After nine months of legal battle, finally Govindachamy, the lone convict in Soumya murder case gets a death sentence. The judgment pronouncing the death sentence was awarded by K. Raveendra Babu, Judge of the Fast Track Court in Thrissur. However, his defense lawyer said he would approach the High Court against the verdict of the Fast Track Court.

Soumya was a regular communter in the Ernakulam-Shoranur Passenger. On Febraury 1st, 2011, 23-year old Soumya was found unconscious in the woods near Vallathol Nagar Railway Station, Thrissur. Further investigations showed that she was pushed out of the train on the said by one Mr. Govindachamy, who jumped along with her and brutally raped her.

Govindchamy also has a previous track record of being accused in many cases connected with robbery and theft and has been several times convicted by the Lower courts in Tamil Nadu. He was a habitual offender, according to experts.

The Thrissur Fast Track Track on October 31 pronounced the accused guilty under Sections 376 (rape), 302 (murder), 394 read with 397 (causing injury while committing robbery) and 447 (criminal trespass) of the Indian Penal Code. The court asked the accused 427 questions and recorded statements by 82 of the 154 witnesses. In all, 101 documents and 43 pieces of evidence were furnished against the accused.

Death sentence for convict in Soumya murder case

Report by Anupama