Sandeep G, the man convicted for the 2023 murder of house surgeon Dr Vandana Das, has moved the Kerala High Court challenging his conviction and life sentence imposed by a Kollam session court. [Sandeep G v State of Kerala]
A Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV Jayakumar issued notice on the appeal to the State and posted the matter further consideration on July 9.
Sandeep was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Additional District and Session Court-I at Kollam on March 21 this year for offences including murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
He has challenged the same before the High Court, contending that the sessions court failed to properly appreciate evidence regarding his mental condition and the defence of unsoundness of mind under Section 84 of the IPC.
According to the prosecution case, Sandeep, a school teacher allegedly suffering from alcohol addiction, was brought to Kottarakara Taluk Hospital by police in the early hours of May 10, 2023, after he was found in an injured condition.
While being treated at the hospital, he allegedly took surgical scissors from a procedure room, attacked the police personnel, hospital staff and eventually went on to stab Dr. Vandana multiple times, which led to her death.
The sessions court found him guilty of multiple offences under the IPC and the Kerala Healthcare Service Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2012.
Apart from life imprisonment for the offence of murder, the sessions court also imposed multiple prison terms for the other offences.
In his appeal, Sandeep has stated that he had informed the police and neighbours that unknown persons were following him and attempting to attack him which indicated that he was delusional and mentally disturbed.
"The trial court ought to have found that the mental condition of the accused was derailed and there was nobody to support and take care of him. He himself informed his neighbours and also the police that somebody is following him and they are making preparations to attack him and consequently his life is in danger," the appeal stated.
It was also alleged that there was a delay in providing immediate medical treatment to Dr. Vandana Das and claimed that such delay aggravated the injuries sustained by her, ultimately leading to her death.
Sandeep has thus sought for acquittal while stating that the sentence imposed on him is excessive and harsh.
The appeal was filed through advocates CP Udayabhanu, Rassal Janardhanan A, Navaneeth N Nath, Abhishek M Kunnathu, Boban Palat, PU Pratheesh Kumar, PR Ajay, KU Swapnil, Pranav Ushakar and Swetha Bijumon.
[Read Sessions Court Judgment]