Chamarajanagar: The District and Sessions Court has sentenced three persons to life imprisonment after they were found guilty of killing a woman by pouring kerosene and setting her ablaze for not bearing a child.

The convicted are deceased Manjula’s mother-in-law Bellamma, sister-in-law Doddamma and brother-in-law Ramesh, all residents of Bendarawadi village in Chamarajanagar taluk.

Details: Deceased Manjula (22), daughter of Siddaraju of Kannahalli in T. Narasipur taluk, was given in marriage to Mahesh, son of Chikkamada Shetty of Bendarawadi village in 2006. After marriage, Manjula began to stay with her husband along with his family members comprising Mahesh’s father, mother, brother and sister-in-law.

Even after seven years of marriage, Manjula was unable to conceive and bear a child resulting in Manjula being harassed for this frequently. 

On Nov.21, 2013, Mahesh’s family members picked up a fight with Manjula, poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze. Manjula, who sustained severe burns, was taken to the Chamarajanagar District Hospital where she was provided first-aid and was later shifted to K.R. Hospital in Mysuru, where she succumbed to severe burn injuries on Dec.16.

A complaint was lodged against Bellamma, Ramesh, Rangaswamy, Chikkamada Shetty and Doddamma. Manjula had also given her statement to the Police, while she was undergoing treatment at the hospital.

The then Rural Police Circle Inspector H.M. Mahadevappa, who had registered a case, conducted an investigation and had submitted a charge-sheet to the Court. 

Judge D. Vinay, who took up the case, heard the arguments from both sides and found Bellamma, Doddamma and Ramesh guilty of committing the crime and sentenced them to life imprisonment besides imposing a fine of Rs.15,000 each.

Public Prosecutor Usha argued on behalf of the Government.