Madikeri: In a swift judgement, Judge S. Nataraj of the 2nd Additional District and Sessions Court, Virajpet in Kodagu has sentenced a man to death by hanging. after finding him guilty of murdering his wife, step daughter, wife’s grandfather and grandmother.

The convicted person is 35-year-old Girish, a native of Manandawadi, Wayanad district in Kerala.

On the night of Mar. 27, 2025, accused Girish had murdered his wife Nagi (30), step daughter Kaveri (5), wife’s grandfather Kariya (75) and grandmother Gowri (70) at Begur village, Ponnampet taluk of Kodagu district.

Details: About 40 years ago, Kariya and Gowri couple migrated from Kerala and were working as labourers at the estate of Chodumada Vikram at Begur village in Ponnampet taluk. The couple had three children including Jaya. Nagi was the daughter of Jaya.

Nagi had deserted her first husband Subramani and had married Girish about a year back. Girish too was married before and had severed tied with his first wife, it is learnt.

Kaveri, born to Nagi from her first husband was staying with her grandparents in Begur village. Girish used to visit Nagi’s house now and then.

On Mar. 27, 2025, Girish picked up a fight with Nagi, accusing her of having an affair with her first husband Subramani, besides accusing her grandparents of not giving him money despite selling coffee. As the fight escalated, Girish attacked Nagi with a knife during which Nagi sustained serious injuries and her daughter Kaveri too sustained injuries on her head and neck. Both died later. Meanwhile, Nagi’s grandparents Kariya and Gowri, rushed to their help, but were also killed by Girish.

Girish later hid himself in the neighbouring farm at night and the next morning, he fled to Virajpet in an autorickshaw, from where he took a bus to Iritty in Kerala. As soon as he reached there, he went to a hair salon near the bus stand and got his hair cut in a bid to conceal his identity and hid in his first wife’s house, it is learnt.

The murder came to light when the estate owner Vikram himself went to the house  of  Kariya,  on Mar. 28 morning. The bodies of Kariya, Gowri, Nagi and Kaveri were found in the house.

Based on the complaint, DIGP (Southern Range) Dr. M.B. Boralingaiah, Kodagu SP K. Ramarajan, the then Additional SP K.S. Sundar Raj, Ponnampet Station House Officer and staff, FSL experts and others visited the spot and conducted a  preliminary investigation.

In a joint operation, Kodagu and Kerala Police arrested  Girish from his first wife’s house. An investigation was conducted and charge sheet was submitted to the Court by Police.

Judge S. Nataraj, who took up the case, heard the arguments from both sides, The Judge found accused Girish guilty of committing the crime and awarded him death sentence. Public Prosecutor Yasin Ahmed, argued on behalf of the Government.