Sandeep sentenced to 30 years imprisonment, followed by life imprisonment; legal fight to continue, say Vandana’s family

KOLLAM: Soon after Sandeep, the accused in Dr Vandana murder case was awarded life imprisonment and a fine of Rs one lakh imposed, her family came forward responding to it. Vandana’s mother T Vasantha Kumar with tears said that he should be awarded death penalty. She said the accused should also understand the pain and helplessness their daughter went through Her father K G Mohandas said the legal fight will continue.

The prosecution told media that the court sentenced the accused to 30 years in prison followed by life imprisonment. The prosecution said they would appeal in the high court.

The prosecution argued in the court that the accused brutally murdered a 23-year-old woman who wanted to do medical services to the poor. The incident happened inside the hospital. The accused stabbed Vandana 27 times without any provocation when the police brought him to the hospital for treatment. He stabbed her deeply, including in her lungs.

He chased and attacked those who came to stop the attack. A home guard had a narrow escape. Therefore, it is rarest of the rare case. The accused does not have any mental issues, and the accused, a teacher, has to live for the children. The prosecution wanted an exemplary verdict to ensure protection at the workplace.

However, the defense argued that this is not a rarest of rare case. Sandeep had no prior enmity with Vandana, and the attack was not premeditated or carried out with a weapon brought in advance; rather, it occurred due to his disturbed mental state.

The defense also contended that Sandeep, who is also a teacher, read psychiatry books while in prison not to falsely establish mental illness before the medical board, but to understand what had happened to him.

Sandeep told the court that he did not know what happened in the hospital and that he should be given a chance to repent. Sandeep's mother also attended the hearing.