Mysore/Mysuru: City’s 5th Additional District and Sessions Court has sentenced a man to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of murdering his wife.

The man, who was sentenced is Siddaraju, a resident of Matageri village in H.D. Kote taluk. He was accused of murdering his wife Sahana alias Puttatejamma.

Sahana, daughter of Jayamma of Katur village, was given in marriage to Siddaraju on May 29, 2012. All was fine for about five months after marriage and later, Siddaraju began to pick up fights with Sahana for petty reasons. A few years later, Siddaraju began to come home drunk and harass Sahana mentally besides assaulting her. Though Sahana’s mother had advised Siddaraju many times, he did not mend his ways following which Sahana’s mother took her home. But Siddaraju began to go there and fight with them.

On the night of Aug. 5, 2018, Siddaraju picked up a fight and the family members had calmed him. But at about 4.30 am on Aug. 6, 2018, Siddaraju picked up a fight with Sahana, accused her of having an illicit affair and hit her on the head with a wooden article causing serious injuries to her.

Sahana, who had sustained serious injuries was rushed to H.D. Kote Hospital and was later shifted to K.R. Hospital in Mysuru, where she succumbed to injuries on Aug. 10.

A case was registered against Siddaraju  and also against his (Siddaraju) brother and sister-in-law for encouraging Siddaraju at Hullahalli Police Station. The then Hullahalli Circle Inspector M.L. Shekar, who conducted investigation, had submitted a charge-sheet to the Court.

Fifth Additional District and Sessions Court Judge Mallikarjun, who took up the case, heard the arguments from both the sides, found Siddaraju guilty of the crime and sentenced him to life imprisonment besides imposing a fine of Rs. 17,000. As there was no witness, Siddaraju’s brother and sister-in-law were acquitted.

Public Prosecutor Nagappa C. Naakman argued on behalf of the Government.