KKN Gurugram Desk | A 24-year-old woman from Kerala, Greeshma, was handed the death sentence by the Neyyattinkara Sessions Court on Monday for the poisoning and murder of her boyfriend, Sharon Raj, in 2022. The gruesome crime, involving a relationship turned fatal, has captured the nation’s attention and raised questions about relationships, trust, and justice.

Background of the Case

Greeshma, a postgraduate English student from Kanyakumari, and Sharon, an undergraduate final-year student from Parassala in Thiruvananthapuram, began their relationship in 2021. Despite their seemingly strong bond, trouble brewed in March 2022 when Greeshma’s family arranged her marriage to a military officer. Greeshma consented to the match, but continued her relationship with Sharon, eventually leading to a tragic series of events.

Planned Murder: The Prosecutor’s Findings

Early Attempts to Poison Sharon

Investigators revealed that Greeshma had planned Sharon’s murder well in advance:

1. Extensive Online Research
   • Greeshma searched online for the effects of painkillers and other substances on the human body.
2. Failed Poisoning Attempts
   • She tried lacing Sharon’s water and juice with tablets, but these attempts failed to harm him.
3. Juice-Drinking Challenge
   • To mask her intentions, Greeshma even tricked Sharon into participating in a “juice-drinking challenge,” but he emerged unharmed.

The Fatal Act

On October 14, 2022, Greeshma invited Sharon to her home. She served him a medicinal Ayurvedic drink, laced with herbicide. The bitter taste of the concoction masked the poison, leaving Sharon unaware of the danger.

Later that evening, Sharon began experiencing severe discomfort, vomiting repeatedly. He was rushed to the hospital, but his condition deteriorated rapidly. Despite treatment at the Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, Sharon succumbed to multiple organ failure on October 25, 2022, at the age of 23.

Sharon’s Final Moments and Investigation

Before his death, Sharon expressed suspicion that Greeshma had poisoned him. He confided in a friend, revealing that she had “cheated” on him. His family filed a police complaint following his death, leading to Greeshma’s arrest on October 31, 2022.

Legal Proceedings and Charges

The police registered the case under the following Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections:

• Section 302: Murder
• Section 328: Causing hurt by poison
• Section 364: Kidnapping or abduction with intent to murder
• Section 201: Causing disappearance of evidence
• Section 203: Giving false information
• Section 34: Criminal acts committed with common intent

Key Arrests

• Greeshma: Arrested and held as the primary accused.
• Her Mother and Uncle: Initially arrested for abetting the crime and tampering with evidence. Greeshma’s mother was later acquitted, while her uncle, Nirmalakumaran Nair, was sentenced to three years in jail for his role in the crime.

Motive for the Murder

Greeshma confessed during police interrogation that she wanted to end her relationship with Sharon. She feared he might expose intimate visuals of their time together to her fiancé, jeopardizing her arranged marriage. This fear drove her to commit the premeditated murder.

Court Verdict: Death Sentence for Greeshma

After a lengthy trial that began in 2023 and concluded in January 2025, the Neyyattinkara Sessions Court found Greeshma guilty of Sharon’s murder. The court cited the following factors in its decision:

1. Premeditation: The crime was planned and executed over several months.
2. Use of Poison: Greeshma deliberately administered poison, knowing its fatal effects.
3. Callousness: The lack of remorse and attempts to cover up the crime further aggravated her culpability.

The court sentenced Greeshma to death, describing the crime as a “rarest of rare case.”

Public Reaction and Broader Implications

The murder shocked Kerala, sparking widespread public outrage and debate about:

1. Relationships and Trust
   • The case has raised concerns about the dangers of toxic relationships and the extremes to which people might go to hide secrets or escape consequences.
2. Premeditated Crimes
   • The deliberate planning involved in the murder has prompted calls for stricter penalties for such crimes.
3. Judicial System’s Role
   • The case has reaffirmed public faith in the judiciary’s ability to deliver justice, especially in cases of heinous crimes.

Key Evidence That Led to Conviction

1. Forensic Evidence
   • Traces of herbicide were found in Sharon’s body during the post-mortem examination.
2. Digital Evidence
   • Greeshma’s online search history revealed her repeated attempts to learn about poisoning methods.
3. Witness Statements
   • Friends and family testified about Sharon’s suspicions and Greeshma’s behavior leading up to the crime.

Impact on Society and Relationships

This case serves as a grim reminder of how toxic relationships and unaddressed fears can lead to devastating consequences. It highlights the importance of open communication, mental health awareness, and the need for stronger community and family support systems to address interpersonal conflicts before they escalate.

The sentencing of Greeshma to death in the Sharon Raj murder case marks a significant moment in India’s judicial history. It underscores the justice system’s commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of heinous crimes face the consequences of their actions. While justice has been served, Sharon’s untimely death remains a tragic loss, and the case serves as a cautionary tale about the repercussions of betrayal and mistrust in relationships.