2022 Thampanoor Gayathri murder case: Accused Praveen sentenced to life term, fined ₹1 lakh

Thiruvananthapuram: The Additional District and Sessions Court - 5 on Monday sentenced Praveen, a native of Kollam, to rigorous life imprisonment for the murder of Gayathri on March 5, 2022. Judge Siju Sheikh, who pronounced the verdict, also slapped a fine of ₹1 lakh.

Advocate B S Rajesh, who appeared for the prosecution said that the nature of injuries on Gayathri's neck, call records data of mobile phones proved crucial in proving the case. "The prosecution was able to establish that the abrasion and contusion on her neck were not consistent with suicide and indicated application of an external force. Besides there was also a sign of use of blunt force. He may have strangulated her using the shawl and also choked her with bare hands," said Rajesh.

The police also recovered Gayathri's mobile phone from Rajesh. Analysis of tower location showed that both the phones showed the same location on the day of murder and police also tracked the location from Kattakada to Chathannoor.

According to police, the accused strangled Gayathri, a native of Kattakada, inside a hotel room in Thampanoor during an argument. Praveen then sneaked out and locked the door. Following a tip received by phone, the hotel staff broke open the room, found the body, and alerted the authorities.

Praveen, reportedly married with two children, had eloped with Gayathri and tied the knot. Upon seeing their pictures on social media, Gayathri's family filed a missing person complaint. Praveen’s wife also lodged a police complaint after learning about his relationship with Gayathri.

The police added that Praveen, who worked as a driver at a jewellery shop in the capital, had met Gayathri at her workplace eight months before the crime.