Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 13: The sixth district additional and sessions court here has handed down jail sentence of 39 months to Shivaram (36) from Karaya village in Beltangady taluk, holding him guilty of promising a lady to marry her, cheating on the promise, and abetting her suicide as a result. Apart from jail term, a fine of Rs 12,000 also has been awarded.

Shivaram, who happens to be the victim's brother-in-law's younger brother, it is said, had offered to marry a 28-year-old lady from Kaukrady village of Puttur taluk. He also had developed physical relationship with her on April 17, 2012. However, when she became pregnant, he refused to marry her. Frustrated at this development, the lady had ended her life by jumping into a pond in the farm on January 7.

The family members, who initially believed that the woman had slipped and fallen into the pond, later found a suicide note in which the victim confessed about her relationship with Shivaram. During postmortem, she was found to be seven months pregnant. DNA testing established that Shivaram was the biological father of the foetus.

The then Uppinangady police inspector, Ravi B S, had investigated the case and filed a charge sheet at the court, accusing Shivaram of rape, cheating and abetment to suicide. Judge of the court, Puttaranga Swamy, sentenced Shivaram after finding him guilty of committing crimes punishable under section 427 (cheating with marriage promise) and 306 (abetment to suicide) of the Indian Penal Code. At the same time, he held that the charge of rape under section 376 was not established. The judge ordered to disburse Rs 8000 out of the above fine to the mother of the victim and also provided for claiming compensation as eligible from the government.

Judith Olga Margaret Crasta was the public prosecutor who appeared in the case on behalf of the prosecution.