Vismaya case: Kiran Kumar gets 10 years jail and fine of Rs 12.5 lakh

KOLLAM: Kiran Kumar, husband of Vismaya M Nair, a medical student, who committed suicide following dowry harassment, gets 10 years jail. A fine of Rs 12.5 lakh was also imposed on him. The sentence was pronounced by Kollam additional district sessions court judge K N Sujith.

Kiran Kumar was sentenced to six years and two years’ imprisonment for the offences of abetment to suicide and dowry harassment under the IPC. He was also sentenced to six years for the offence of taking dowry and one year for demanding dowry under the Dowry Prohibition Act. He can undergo the punishment together. He should pay a fine of Rs 12.5 lakh and two lakh from it will be given to Vismaya's parents.

Thrivikraman Nair said that he is satisfied with the punishment. He thanked the police, prosecution and the media. Her mother Saritha said that she expected life sentence and is disappointment with the verdict. She said the family would appeal against the sentence.

Before pronouncing the punishment, the court asked Kiran whether he had anything to say. ‘Have not committed the crime. Vismaya committed suicide. My parents have health issues. I am the sole breadwinner of the family. I am only 31. Should commute my punishment considering my age,’ Kiran told the court.

The prosecution argued that this was not a case against an individual, but against the social plague of dowry. The court should consider that a government employee accepted the dowry. A government employee should not believe that he is a valuable product. The verdict should be a lesson to the society. Brutal physical and mental harassment was in the name of dowry. Vismaya's suicide is tantamount to murder. The accused has no regret. The accused should not be sympathised. This is a case that is being looked into across the country. The prosecution argued that exemplary punishment should be given.

The accused lawyer asked how it was measured that the accused has no remorse. This is suicide and not homicide. This is not the first dowry death case in the country. There is no life imprisonment in the country for abetment to suicide. Even in some murder cases, the Supreme Court had commuted life imprisonment.

Vismaya's father Thrivikraman Nair reached the court in the car gifted to his daughter at the time of marriage. He said that he hoped the accused would get the punishment he deserved. Kiran's father also came to hear the verdict.

Digital evidence, including text messages sent to a friend and brother's wife telling of Kiran's harassment turned crucial in the case. 42 witnesses were examined. 120 documents and 12 mainours were examined.

The court found Kiran Kumar guilty yesterday. Judge K N Sujith found him guilty under sections dowry death 304 (B), dowry harassment 498 (A), abetment to suicide 306 and sections 3 and 4 of dowry prohibition act.

Vismaya was found dead on June 21, 2021 at the house of her husband Kiran Kumar, a motor vehicle inspector, in the toilet adjacent to her bedroom. Kiran was terminated from service after he was arrested in the case.