Thiruvananthapuram: Neyyatinkara Additional Sessions court on Friday found the first accused, Greeshma, and her uncle Nirmalakumaran Nair, the third accused, guilty in the Sharon Raj murder case. Greeshma's mother Sindhu, the second accused in the case was acquitted for want of evidence. Greeshma was found guilty of murder, causing hurt by means of poison, abduction with intent to murder and providing false information about a crime. 

Both Sindhu and Nirmalakumaran Nair were accused of destruction of evidence. The prosecution couldn't establish the case against Sindhu following which she was found not guilty. Nirmalakumaran Nair is likely to get bail today although he has been found guilty of eliminating evidence. 

Following the verdict, Sharon Raj's parents expressed disappointment over Sindhu's acquittal. They stated that they would appeal to the High Court after the quantum of punishment is pronounced on Saturday.

"Even though there were no eyewitnesses, we had digital and circumstantial evidence to prove the case. When questioned with evidence, Greeshma admitted to the crime," D Shilpa, IPS, who investigated the case said.

A 23-year-old radiology student, Sharon Raj, was poisoned by his former girlfriend, Greeshma, after he refused to end their relationship. Sharon Raj's parents expressed disappointment at the acquittal of Greeshma's mother and suggested that they would file an appeal with the High Court if necessary. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on Saturday. 

The crime occurred on October 14, 2022, when Sharon visited Greeshma at her home in Ramavarmanchirai, Kanyakumari. Greeshma reportedly served him an Ayurvedic decoction laced with pesticide, after which he fell ill and was hospitalised. Despite initial recovery, his condition worsened, and he succumbed to organ failure on October 25. Investigators revealed Sharon had ingested an acidic substance, leading to severe internal damage.

The prosecution argued that Greeshma, with help from her mother and uncle, planned the crime meticulously, citing evidence of an earlier poisoning attempt. Key testimonies from Sharon’s friend and his deathbed statement to a magistrate were crucial in building the case. Meanwhile, the defence claimed inconsistencies in the investigation and suggested Sharon might have consumed the poison voluntarily.

Greeshma, Sindhu, and Nirmalakumaran Nair have remained in custody since their arrest in late 2022. A special investigation team led by then-district police chief D Shilpa handled the case, which has drawn significant public attention across Kerala and Tamil Nadu.