The Principal Sessions Court in Tiruvallur here on Tuesday convicted and sentenced a 40-year-old man for raping an 18-year-old daughter of the woman with whom he was in a relationship, murdering the girl, besides robbing off her jewellery in Senneerkuppam near Poonamallee three years ago.
According to the prosecution, a mason named Najmudeen alias Raju Mani Nair, 36, who had been living separately from his wife, was in a relationship with a woman, separated from her husband. They came to Senneerkuppam and were doing construction work. The woman’s 18-year-old daughter was also staying with them.
In November 2022, the accused Najmudeen raped and murdered the 18-year-old girl near Poonamallee in Tiruvallur district. He then fled to Mumbai with the jewellery the victim was wearing. The victim girl belonged to a Scheduled Caste community.
Based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother, the Poonamallee police registered a case and an Assistant Commissioner took up investigation.
In 2022, a special team from the Poonamallee Crime Branch traced and arrested the accused in Mumbai. The case was filed before the Tiruvallur District Combined Court, where Special Public Prosecutor Tamiliniyan appeared and argued the case on behalf of the prosecution.
After the completion of the trial, District Principal Sessions Court Judge Juliet Pushpa delivered the verdict on Tuesday.
In the judgment, the court found the accused guilty of raping the 18-year-old girl, murdering her, and stealing her jewellery, and sentenced him to three life imprisonments. The judge ordered all sentences to run concurrently and also imposed a total fine of ₹35,000 on him.
