The Thalassery Additional District Court (One) on Monday sentenced Shyamjith, 27, to life imprisonment and slapped a fine of ₹2 lakh on him for the murder of 23-year-old Vishnupriya at her residence in Panur.
Additionally, he was given 10 years of imprisonment and fined ₹25,000 for trespassing into the victim’s house. The verdict, delivered by Judge A.V. Mrudula, concluded a case that shook the community.
Vishnupriya, pharmacist at a private hospital in Panur, was murdered at her house on October 22, 2022. According to the prosecution, Shyamjith had entered Vishnupriya’s bedroom while she was talking to a friend on phone and slit her throat.
The trial commenced on September 21, 2023. Given the absence of eyewitnesses, the prosecution built a case relying on circumstantial and scientific evidence. Seventy-three witnesses were presented during the trial.
Investigation revealed that the crime occurred between 10 and 12 in the morning. It came to light that Shyamjith had purchased a hammer and gloves from a shop at Koothuparamba just two days before the incident.
Public prosecutor K. Ajith Kumar led the case, while the defense was represented by lawyers S. Praveen and Abhilash Mathur.
