Court finds accused Shyamjith guilty in Vishnupriya murder case, sentencing likely on Monday

KANNUR: Thalassery additional district and sessions court1 found the accused in the sensational 2022 Vishnupriya murder case guilty on Friday.
Additional district and sessions court judge AV Mridula is expected to pronounce the sentencing against Shyamjith, 27, the lone accused in the brutal murder, on Monday. When the court asked him if he had any statement to make, the accused replied "nothing to say" before the court.

The accused was booked under sections 449 (trespass house to commit crime) and 302 (murder).
Govt pleader K Ajith Kumar appeared for the prosecution in the case trial that began on Sept 21, 2023. The prosecution presented both circumstantial and scientific evidence to prove the crime. A short video clip capturing the accused's entry into Vishnupriya's residence was the most crucial evidence. Also, CCTV footage showing Shyamjit purchasing the weapons used for the murder played a pivotal role. The prosecution also presented 73 witnesses, including the victim's mother, brother, relatives, and neighbours.
However, there was no eyewitness in the case. "We hope the court will award maximum punishment to the convict," said Kumar.
Panoor inspector M P Azad probed the case and submitted the chargesheet.
As per the chargesheet, Shyamjith, a native of Koothuparamba in Kannur district, stabbed Vishnupriya to death at her house on Oct 22, 2022, for ending their relationship after a quarrel.
On the day of the incident, Vishnupriya, a pharmacist who was going to work, returned home after hearing about the death of a close relative. Shyamjith reached her house that day and came to know that she was alone as her parents had gone to the house of the deceased relative. He entered the house and attacked her with deadly weapons, said the chargesheet.
Vishnupriya suffered severe wounds on her head and throat.
Shyamjith had reached the house wearing a mask and killed her around 11.30am using the hammer and knife he carried with him in a well-planned attempt. The murder took place when she was talking with her friend on mobile phone.
The incident came to light only after Vishnupriya's mother reached home looking for her daughter who wasn't attending phone calls and had not reached the relative's house. When the mother reached home in the afternoon, her daughter was lying in a pool of blood.
Shyamjith, who was arrested on the day of the incident, is in judicial custody.