HC acquits couple who got death sentence of triple murder

CHENNAI: A division bench of Madras High Court acquitted a husband and wife who were sentenced to death penalty by the trial court for murdering three people, including the man’s parent and brother.

The bench of Justice PN Prakash and Justice TMT Teekaa Raman passed the orders on the ground that there was no proper evidence to show that the convicts murdered their family members. The convicts named Govardhan and Deepakayathri filed the plea challenging the death sentence ordered by the Sessions Judge, Sessions Court for Exclusive Trial of Bomb Blast Cases, Chennai at Poonamallee.

“The Criminal Appeals preferred by Deepakayathri (A2) and Govardhanan (A1) are allowed. The conviction and sentences imposed on Govardhanan (A1) and Deepakayathri (A2) by the Sessions Judge, Sessions Court for Exclusive Trial of Bomb Blast Cases, Chennai at Poonamallee, Chennai 600056, are set aside and they are acquitted of all the charges,” the bench said in the advance order.

The judges also noted that the accused are directed to be set at liberty forthwith unless their presence is required in connection with any other case.

The case of the prosecution was that on May 15, 2019, Villupuram district's Kaveripakkam-based K Raji, his wife Kamala, and their younger son, Goutham,

died mysteriously after the fire broke out in their house. According to the prosecution, first, it was believed that the trio died in the event of an AC explosion due to the power short-circuit.

However, when the bodies were retrieved, the police found cut marks in the neck of Raji. Therefore, a team of police officers brought Govardhan – the elder son of the deceased couple and his wife Deepakayathri -- into the radar. The police stated that since Govardhan faced a huge business loss, he expected some financial assistance from the family members. After refusing to extend help to Govardhan, the family members arranged the marriage for their second son in a grand manner.

Therefore, angered by the act of his parents, Govardhan and his wife decided to eliminate Raji, Kamala, and Goutham, according to police. The prosecution also stated that after locking the house in the wee hours, Goutham hurled a petrol bomb into his house to kill his parent and brother. Deepakayathri assisted Goutham to execute the triple murder, the police said.

Villupuram police booked the duo under Sections 302 and 109 of IPC read with Explosive Substances Act. Tindivanam Magistrate Court remanded the accused and subsequently, the case was transferred to the Sessions Court for Exclusive Trial of Bomb Blast Cases, Poonamallee.