Greeshma, recently sentenced to capital punishment for her heinous act in the Sharon murder case, has made history as the youngest individual in the state to receive the death penalty. This verdict has garnered significant attention, not only due to her age but also because it places her among a rare category of female convicts. She is only the third woman in the state’s history to be awarded capital punishment and the second woman currently awaiting execution. This case underscores the gravity of the crime committed, as well as the judicial system's stringent stance on such offenses. Greeshma’s sentencing has sparked discussions about the severity of punishments, the role of gender in criminal justice, and the broader implications of the death penalty in modern society.
Following the conviction in the Sharon murder case, the number of individuals currently on death row in the state has now increased to 35. This significant rise reflects the severity of the crimes and the judicial system's response to them. Justice AM Basheer, who presided over Greeshma's case and sentenced her to the maximum punishment due to the particularly brutal and heinous nature of the crime, is no stranger to delivering high-profile verdicts. Notably, he was also the judge responsible for the sentencing in the Shanthakumari murder case. His decisions in both cases highlight his firm stance on holding individuals accountable for extreme criminal behavior and reflect the state's commitment to upholding the rule of law in the face of such grave offenses.
Judge A.M. Basheer sentenced the 24-year-old to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, along with a fine of Rupees 1 lakh under Section 364 (kidnapping or abducting with the intent to murder). Additionally, the court imposed a five-year sentence and a fine of Rupees 50,000 under Section 328 (causing harm to a person by using poison or other harmful substances), as well as a two-year sentence under Section 203 (destruction of evidence or providing false information to shield an offender from legal consequences) of the Indian Penal Code. The Judge also considered the “diabolic and depraved” nature of Sharon Raj’s murder when determining that the crime was among the “rarest of the rare” and warranted a death sentence.
In its 586-page judgment, the court praised the police for conducting a thorough investigation that effectively utilized scientific evidence. It also concurred with the prosecution’s argument that the case met the criteria of being “the rarest of the rare”. The court further dismissed the defense's pleas for leniency towards Greeshma. It emphasized that her young age could not be considered a mitigating factor in light of the severity of the crime. Additionally, Greeshma's lack of a criminal history was deemed irrelevant in this case.
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