A Kerala court on Monday has sentenced 2 men to life imprisonment for their role in the brutal honor killing of a 27-year-old man, Anish, nearly 4 years ago in Thenkurussi.
The Additional Sessions Court 1, presided over by Justice Vinayaka Rao R, found Prabhu Kumar and his brother-in-law Suresh guilty of murdering Anish because he had married Kumar’s daughter, Haritha.
In addition to life sentences, the court imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on each convict. Should they fail to pay the fine, they will face an additional two years of rigorous imprisonment.
The court also sentenced them to three years of rigorous imprisonment for criminal intimidation under IPC Section 506.
The judge allowed for a “set-off” under Sections 432 and 433 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which permits crediting the time already served in custody against their sentences.
The tragic incident occurred on December 25, 2020, just 88 days after Anish married Haritha, who comes from a family with significant financial and caste privileges.
The prosecution asserted that this cross-caste marriage prompted the heinous crime.
Following the verdict, Haritha and Anish’s parents expressed their disappointment, indicating their intent to appeal to a higher court. A tearful Haritha shared, “We expected that the accused would either receive a death sentence or at least a double life term. This punishment is too lenient for the gravity of their crime.” She also revealed that she had faced death threats from her family during the trial.
Anish’s parents echoed her sentiments, stating their determination to seek justice. “The accused show no remorse; they still claim they did nothing wrong. They brutally killed my son and deserve a harsher punishment. We will do everything possible to ensure justice is served,” his father declared.
The court’s decision has sparked outrage among the families of the victims, who feel that the punishment does not reflect the severity of the crime committed. This case underscores ongoing issues surrounding honor-related violence in India, revealing deep-rooted societal problems that still persist in certain communities.
As Haritha and Anish’s family prepare to challenge the verdict, their quest for justice continues, highlighting the need for stronger legal protections against such acts of violence.
