dynamitenews.com
New Delhi/ 15 September 2016. In a crucial development in Soumya rape and murder case, the Supreme Court on Thursday acquitted Govindachami of murder charges and quashed the death penalty sentence. However the apex court held him guilty of rape of Soumya and sentenced him to seven years rigorous imprisonment.
The incident occurred when 23-year-old Soumya MG was travelling in Ernakulam-Shornur passenger train on 1 February, 2011, back home from Kochi to Shornur.
Accused Govindachami trespassed into her ladies compartment as the train left Vallathole Nagar and caught hold of her with the intention to commit rape and robbery. As a result of the scuffle, she was dropped out of the moving train.
The accused, too, sprang out of the moving train at Vettikattiri Desom at Vallathole Nagar and returned to the place where Soumya was lying in a daze. He shifted her to a nearby lonely place and, placing her in between two railway tracks, forcibly had sexual intercourse with her and also took away her mobile phone.
She was found later after co-passengers alerted the Railways authorities and was admitted to the Medical College Hospital in Thrissur immediately. However, she succumbed to her injuries on 6 February, 2011. (With agency inputs)
