Conviction Upheld in Rajalakshmi Murder Case: Supreme Court Verdict Explained

The case before the Supreme Court revolves around the tragic murder of Ms. Rajalakshmi, who was found dead within six months of her marriage. The primary accused in the case are her husband, Mr. Ravi, along with his relatives, Ms. Uma and Mr. Balasubramanian. Initially acquitted by the Trial Court, the accused were later convicted by the Madras High Court, and the Supreme Court has now upheld the conviction.

Background of the Case

Rajalakshmi married Ravi on February 10, 2008. As part of the marriage, she brought gold jewelry and other valuable items. However, shortly after the wedding, she reported harassment from her husband and in-laws. Witnesses, including her adoptive father, testified that she was treated like a servant and was physically and mentally tortured.

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On August 23, 2008, Rajalakshmi was found dead, initially reported as a case of suicide due to paint consumption. However, medical evidence revealed multiple injuries, including a broken hyoid bone, suggesting strangulation. The prosecution argued that the accused attempted to cover up the murder by making it appear as a suicide.

Prosecution’s Argument

The prosecution presented testimonies from key witnesses, including Rajalakshmi’s father and forensic experts. The postmortem report confirmed ante-mortem injuries consistent with strangulation, contradicting the defense’s claim of suicide.

The prosecution contended that Uma and Ravi had an illicit relationship, which led them to eliminate Rajalakshmi. This, combined with circumstantial evidence, pointed towards a planned murder.

Defense’s Argument

The defense argued that the prosecution’s case was based on circumstantial evidence and lacked direct eyewitnesses. They also contended that the High Court erred in overturning the acquittal, as there was no substantial evidence proving the accused’s involvement.

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Supreme Court’s Findings

The Supreme Court reaffirmed that the case was one of circumstantial evidence but held that the prosecution had successfully established an unbroken chain of events leading to the conviction. It relied on forensic reports and the testimony of key witnesses, which pointed unequivocally towards murder.

The court noted, “The medical evidence clearly shows that the deceased had sustained multiple ante-mortem injuries, and the presence of the accused at the time of the incident is demonstrable from their conduct before and after the crime.”

Final Judgment

Considering the overwhelming evidence, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeals and upheld the High Court’s verdict, sentencing the accused to life imprisonment.

Petitioner Name: Uma & Anr..
Respondent Name: The State Rep. by The Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Judgment By: Justice Bela M. Trivedi, Justice Satish Chandra Sharma.
Place Of Incident: Thoothukudi.
Judgment Date: 22-10-2024.

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