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The Supreme Court has suspended the jail sentence of Kiran Kumar, who was convicted for the dowry-related death of his wife, Vismaya V Nair. The court, on July 2, also granted him bail while his appeal is pending.
Kiran Kumar, a former Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector from Kollam, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in May 2022 by a trial court after being found guilty under Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code. He was also convicted on charges of abetment to suicide and dowry harassment. His wife, 24-year-old Vismaya, was found hanging in the bathroom of their house in Sasthamkotta, Kollam, on June 21, 2021, a little over a year after their wedding.
The Kerala High Court had earlier dismissed Kiran’s plea to suspend his sentence, observing that the seriousness of the offence and its social impact did not warrant such relief. Following this, Kiran approached the Supreme Court, arguing through his counsel that he was a victim of a media trial and that there was no evidence showing he had demanded dowry.
A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and K Vinod Chandran heard the matter on Wednesday and stayed the execution of the sentence, clearing the way for Kiran’s release on bail.
Before her death, Vismaya had sent photos of injuries on her body to her family, alleging harassment by Kiran over dowry demands, which became crucial evidence in the case. Her family shared screenshots and voice notes sent by her shortly before she was found dead.
Kiran Kumar’s conviction had led to his dismissal from government service. While his appeal against the conviction remains pending before the Kerala High Court, the Supreme Court’s order will allow him to be out on bail until the final decision is made.