In a high-profile verdict on Monday, the Neyyattinkara Additional Sessions Court sentenced Greeshma, the accused in the Sharon Raj murder case, to capital punishment. Greeshma was found guilty of poisoning her 23-year-old boyfriend, Sharon Raj, with pesticide-laced ayurvedic decoction.
The court sentenced Greeshma to death for her premeditated actions, which included inviting Sharon to her home under the pretext of a romantic encounter before committing the crime. The court emphasized the gravity of her betrayal, noting that Sharon’s actions, including recording a video of the suspicious drink, indicated he suspected foul play despite Greeshma’s plea for him not to record. Sharon, who fought for his life for 11 days without consuming any water, was noted as having shown tremendous strength in the face of betrayal.
The court further commented that Greeshma had emotionally manipulated Sharon, stating that she lacked any evidence to support her claims of mental distress due to Sharon’s actions. The court also rejected her defense of physical abuse, as Sharon never accused her of such behavior in his messages. Greeshma, while maintaining a relationship with Sharon, was also secretly in contact with her fiancé, which indicated her premeditated intentions to end her relationship with Sharon.
The court ruled that the crime was carried out without provocation, with Greeshma attempting to cover up her actions but failing. It also noted that her age and alleged emotional distress could not be considered as mitigating factors in such a severe crime.
Greeshma was convicted under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:
- Section 302 (Murder)
- Section 364 (Abduction with intent to commit murder)
- Section 328 (Administering poison with intent to harm life)
- Section 203 (Obstruction of justice by providing false information).
The third accused, Greeshma’s uncle, Nirmalakumaran Nair, was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment for his involvement under Section 201 of the IPC. Her mother, Sindhu, was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
The incident dates back to October 14, 2022, when Greeshma allegedly poisoned Sharon by mixing pesticide into a herbal medicine at her residence. Sharon died 11 days later after battling for his life in the ICU.
Sharon and Greeshma had been in a long-term relationship, but Greeshma, who had plans to marry another man, wanted to end her relationship with Sharon. When Sharon refused to break up, it reportedly led to the tragic incident.
Sharon’s dying declaration to a magistrate, in which he revealed that he consumed the herbal medicine given by Greeshma without suspecting harm, played a pivotal role in the investigation. Forensic evidence also corroborated the charges, strengthening the case against Greeshma.
The police filed the charge sheet on January 25, 2023, following an extensive investigation led by a special team under the then-Superintendent of Police, Shilpa. The trial, which began on October 15, 2024, concluded on January 3, 2025, after examining over 95 witnesses. The court’s verdict concludes a lengthy legal process in a case that shocked the community and drew widespread media attention.
