Neyyattinkara: The Neyyattinkara Additional Sessions Court, under Judge A M Basheer, delivered its verdict on Friday in the high-profile Sharon Raj murder case, which sent shockwaves across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Prime accused Greeshma and her uncle Nirmalakumaran Nair, were found guilty of premeditated murder.  The court found Greeshma's mother, Sindhu, not guilty of the crime.

Sindhu was initially listed as the second accused in the case. However, after her acquittal by the court, Greeshma's uncle has now been named as the second accused. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on Saturday. The court found Sreenilayam Veedu, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu resident Greeshma and her uncle, Nirmalakumaran Nair, guilty of premeditated murder, while acquitting her mother, Sindhu, of all charges.

The case centers around the tragic death of 23-year-old radiology student Sharon Raj, who was poisoned with paraquat by Greeshma at her house in Ramavarmanchirai, Tamil Nadu. Sharon consumed the lethal concoction during a visit on October 14, 2022. Despite intensive treatment at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, he succumbed to organ failure on October 25.

The prosecution presented substantial evidence, including digital records of Greeshma’s internet searches about paraquat’s lethal effects, eyewitness testimonies, and medical reports. They also highlighted Greeshma’s earlier attempt to poison Sharon through a failed "juice challenge," where she mixed paracetamol into fruit juice.

The court accepted the prosecution’s argument that Greeshma, under family pressure to end her relationship with Sharon and marry an Army officer, meticulously planned the murder. Evidence included the paraquat bottle, procured by her uncle, and her internet search history, which revealed her intent.

While the prosecution implicated Sindhu in the crime, the court found insufficient evidence to convict her, leading to her acquittal.

The defense claimed inconsistencies in the investigation and argued that Sharon might have consumed the poison voluntarily. However, the prosecution countered these claims effectively with forensic and digital evidence.

Greeshma’s dramatic suicide attempt at a police station in November 2022, just before her arrest, was also presented as indicative of her guilt.

This case, which captured public attention due to its chilling details and psychological underpinnings, concluded with the court announcing its decision. The quantum of punishment for Greeshma and her uncle will be declared on Saturday.