Daijiworld Media Network

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 11: 30-year-old Govindachamy, who was convicted in at least eight criminal cases between 2004-08, has been found guilty in the Soumya murder case, and sentenced to death by a Thrissur fast track court on Friday November 11.

This could be one of the fastest convictions in a criminal case in India, as the incident of rape occured in February 2011.

On February 1, the accused Govindachamy had rushed to a ladies compartment in which 23-year-old Soumya was travelling alone. She was pushed out from the train when it started from Vallathol Nagar. He then chased her, forcefully took her to a deserted place, assaulted and raped her.

A severely injured Soumya died in a hospital less than a week later, on February 6.

Govindachamy hails from Virudhachalam in Tamil Nadu. Special prosecutor A Suresan had pleaded for capital punishment for the accused.

Thrissur fast track court Judge Raveendra Babu announced the death sentence today. 

Statements by people who saw Govindachamy in the vicinity, DNA evidence found from Soumya's nails also helped in nailing Govindachamy.

The case created furore in Tamil Nadu, and many women organisations had protested the crime and demanded capital punishment for the accused.