Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Nov 10: The fourth additional district and sessions court here has sentenced the accused, Narayan Gowda (46), a resident of Mundevu Ganjimath, to life imprisonment after holding him guilty of murdering an aged lady, Kalyani (82) from Ganjimath several years back.
Kalyani used to attend cleaning and other maintenance duties at Lord Mahaganapati temple at Ganjimath. Reportedly, Naryaan occasionally went to this temple to help her. Most of the time, he used to loiter around lazily, visiting Kalyani's house only for food, it is gathered. Narayan happens to be a relative of the lady.
Kalyani often used to advise Narayan to eke out a living on his own by working hard and not to depend on others. During one such day, he grew angry at this repeated advice on December 2, 2007 afternoon, and attacked the woman near the cattle shed. Kalyani collapsed to the ground, after which her daughter, Nagaveni, who lives nearby, and other neighbours had admitted her into hospital. However, she had breathed her last before medical help could be extended.
The then police sub-inspector of Bajpe, Ramesh Kumar, had arrested the accused and registered a case, while Panambur circle inspector, Chandrashekhar, conducted investigation and filed charge sheet.
Judge of the said court, Nerale Veerabhadrappa, who conducted the hearing, delivered his verdict on Wednesday through which Narayan was awarded life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000. If he fails to pay the fine, Narayan will have to undergo 6 months of additional jail term. Narayan has been in judicial custody since the day of the said murder, and the court permitted to set off this term out of the total sentence now handed to him.
During the hearing, Narayan had claimed himself to be suffering from psychological disorders. However, during tests at Dharwad, medical experts found him to be having low intelligence quotient but that he was otherwise mentally stable.
The court has also asked Karnatala Legal Services Authority to provide compensation to the children of Kalyani as applicable.
A total of 17 witnesses were examined during the trial. Public prosecutors, Harishchandra Udyavar and Judith Olga Margaret Crasta had argued the case on behalf of the prosecution.