Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Dec 23: In a landmark verdict, the additional district and sessions court, FTSC-1 (POCSO), Mangaluru, presided over by Judge Mohana J S, has acquitted a wife accused of murdering her husband, ruling that she bore no criminal liability due to mental insanity.

The incident occurred on July 5, 2022 in Navoor village, Belthangady taluk, leading to a case registered at the Belthangady police station. The accused, Eliyamma, allegedly hacked her husband, Yohannan, to death with a sword/sickle at 5:30 am while he was asleep at their home.

During the trial, Eliyamma startled the court at the charge-framing stage by admitting, “Yes, I killed him.” Given the seriousness of the offence, Judge Mohana J S opted for a full trial instead of delivering an immediate verdict. Prosecution witnesses confirmed that Eliyamma had committed the act.

The case took a pivotal turn during cross-examination, when evidence revealed that Eliyamma had a long-standing history of mental illness and suffered from delusional disorder. Defence advocate Vikram Raj A contended, “Although the act was committed by the accused, she was suffering from mental insanity at the time. She had no knowledge that what she was doing was wrong or against the law; therefore, she cannot be held criminally liable.”

The Court, which had reserved its judgment on December 23, today held that while Eliyamma killed her husband, she cannot be held legally responsible due to her mental condition at the time. She was acquitted.

The Court further directed the Jail Superintendent to send her to Nimhans for psychiatric evaluation to determine her fitness for release and potential danger to herself or society.

Advocates Vikram Raj A and Jeevan A M represented the accused in a complex and sensitive trial.