While acquitting a woman facing the charge of murdering her husband by taking into consideration the medical report about her mental disorder, a Mangaluru court directed the prison authorities not to release her immediately.
In the judgment dated December 23, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Fast Track Sessions Court -1, Mangaluru, J.S. Mohana, asked the prison authorities to get Eliyamma examined at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, and asked them not release her till she was found to be fit for release.
As per the chargesheet, Eliyamma hacked to death her husband Yohanan, who was asleep, in their house in Navoor village of Belthangady taluk on July 5, 2022. At the time of framing of charges, Eliyamma admitted to murdering her husband. The Judge held the trial wherein all witness supported the case of prosecution.
A. Vikramraj, counsel for the accused, submitted to the court about NIMHANS Senior Resident Psychiatrist, Shivani Sivaramakrishnan, who treated Eliyamma for her mental disorder, as per directions of the Karnataka High Court. He also produced report given by her that said: “HCR 20 scale was applied and it shows that future risk for violence if she is not on medication” The expert also observed about her delusion of infidelity and delusion of persecution, which related to her delusional disorder and its relation to the crime.
When witness summons was issued to the doctor, the Judge was told that her presence before the court cannot be secured as she was in Australia, and her availability in the near future was ruled out. In absence of evidence of the doctor, the court can proceed with her report, the Judge observed.
Published – December 25, 2025 06:52 pm IST
