Soumya murder case: Accused gets death sentence

The victim was raped in a “brutal” and “cruel” manner,the Judge said while awarding the death sentence and imposing Rs 1 lakh fine on him,besides sentencing the accused to varying terms of rigorous imprisonment under different sections of the IPC.

On October 31,the court had found Govindachamy guilty of offences under IPC sections 302 (murder),376 (rape),394 (person voluntarily causing hurt in committing or attempting to commit robbery),397 (robbery or dacoity,with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 447 (criminal trespass).

According to the prosecution,Govindachamy had assaulted the Soumya in a deserted ladies compartment and pushed her out of the train,immediately after it left Vallathol Nagar station on February 1. He then carried her to a deserted spot on the rail tracks and raped her “cruelly and brutally”.

The accused had also injured her seriously resulting in her death on February 6.

Pressing for maximum punishment,prosecution had submitted that the accused was a “habitual offender” and produced documentary evidence to show that he had been convicted in eight cases in Tamil Nadu from 2004 to 2008.