SHARON WAS KILLED 'INCH BY INCH'

Only one with the mind for extreme brutality can carry out a similar crime against a boyfriend or husband while in love," the Neyyattinkara Additional Sessions Court observed, while awarding the capital punishment to S S Greeshma.

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The court said Sharon Raj was killed "inch by inch", adding that Greeshma had previously attempted to murder Sharon by giving him juice spiked with paracetamol pills.

"Greeshma actively sought to prolong the victim's suffering, to cause extreme pain before death... such a person can't be reformed," the verdict said.

The court observed that her act had shaken the collective conscience of society. Brushing aside the defence counsel's request for leniency, on account of Greeshma's age, Justice A M Basheer said the victim was also of the same age. "Hence, the convict is not entitled to the benefit of age," the judge said.