Dr Vandana Das murder: Hearing concludes, sentence to be pronounced on Mar 21
Advocate Prathap G Padikkal, appearing for the prosecution, said all charges were proven.
Advocate Prathap G Padikkal, appearing for the prosecution, said all charges were proven.
Advocate Prathap G Padikkal, appearing for the prosecution, said all charges were proven.
The Kollam Additional Sessions Court on Thursday concluded the hearing on the quantum of sentence for G Sandeep, convicted of the murder of Dr Vandana Das. The sentence will be pronounced on March 21. Additional Sessions Judge P N Vinod heard arguments from the prosecution on the quantum of sentence and from the defence seeking leniency.
Special Public Prosecutor Prathap G Padikkal told the court that the murder of Vandana shall be treated as the rarest of rare cases and sought maximum punishment under the relevant provisions. The defence said that the convict has expressed remorse for his deed and has dependents to support.
The court convicted him under eight sections of the IPC, including attempt to murder a police officer on duty, destruction of evidence, and obstruction of a public servant in discharge of duty on Tuesday.
He was also found guilty under relevant provisions of the Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act. The judge had observed that the accused is not entitled to protection under Section 84 of the IPC, which provides a legal defence for persons of unsound mind, rejecting the insanity plea raised by the defence.
Advocate Prathap G Padikkal, appearing for the prosecution, said all charges were proven.
Dr Vandana Das, 23, the only daughter of Mohandas and Vasanthakumari from Muttuchira near Kaduthuruthy in Kottayam district, had completed her MBBS and was working as a house surgeon at Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital.
In the early hours of May 10, 2023, Sandeep, a resident of Cherukarakonam near Kudavattur, was brought to the hospital by the Pooyappally police for medical examination. According to the prosecution, he suddenly turned violent, grabbed a pair of surgical scissors from the dressing room, and attacked hospital staff. Dr Vandana was stabbed multiple times during the incident.
Several others, including police personnel and hospital staff, were also injured. Dr Vandana was first taken to a private hospital in Kottarakkara and later shifted to Thiruvananthapuram, where she was declared dead. The case was subsequently handed over to the Crime Branch for investigation.