A review petition filed by Kerala government in the Supreme Court challenging its verdict in the Soumya murder case has been postponed to October 17.
The state government and Soumya’s mother had questioned the SC verdict commuting the death sentence of the convict Govindachamy to life imprisonment.
Coming down heavily on the prosecution, the SC said that the former’s argument was flawed in this case. The Court said the prosecution could not prove if Soumya jumped from the train or somebody pushed her. The apex court added that the death sentence cannot be given without complete evidence.
The Court also pointed out that from the statements of witnesses, it cannot be confirmed that Soumya was killed by Govindachaamy.
The prosecution argued that Govindachaamy banged Soumya’s head and pushed her out of the running train. But they couldn’t produce enough evidence to prove it. The SC asked how a physically disabled person like Govindachaamy could have done this alone.
Though the prosecution had asked for more time, the SC rejected the plea. The apex court however, agreed to hear the case in an open court.
On February 1, 2011, Soumya, 23, was found in a critical condition on the railway track in Thrissur. She succumbed to her injuries on February 6. Police had arrested Govindachamy, a physically challenged beggar, on February 3.