Thiruvananthapuram: The court found both the accused guilty in the case of the murder of a foreign woman in Kovalam. Thiruvananthapuram Additional Sessions Court ruled that the charges of rape and murder against Udayan and Umesh, natives of Panathura, were proved. The verdict came four and a half years after the murder in the highly debated case. For the sister of the murdered foreign woman, a system was set up to track the court proceedings online.
A native of Latvia girl, went missing on March 14, 2018, when she went to Thiruvananthapuram Pothanku Hospital for Ayurvedic treatment. Later, on the 36th day, on April 20, their dead bodies were found rotting among the vines at Poonamthuru, Kovalam.
The sister's DNA test confirmed that the body belonged to a foreign woman. Later, local residents Umesh and Udayakumar were arrested by the police.
During the police investigation, it was found that the woman was raped and killed. Thiruvananthapuram 1st Additional District Sessions Judge K. Sanilkumar found Udayan, a tourist guide, and Umesh, an employee of a caretaker firm, natives of Kovalam Vazhamuttam, guilty.
The partner of a woman murdered in India has said the ongoing trial of two men accused of her killing has stirred up both “relief and bitterness”. Irish resident Liga Skromane (33) disappeared on March 14, 2018 shortly after travelling to Kerala in the south of the country for therapy to tackle depression. Fishermen came across her remains on April 20, 2018 at a marshy spot nearly 30kms away from the wellness centre where she was getting treatment.
Prosecutors allege that the men lured Liga to the mangrove forest where she was found, drugged her and then sexually assaulted her before she was killed. Liga’s partner Andrew Jordan, from Swords, Co Dublin, has opened up, saying the news that the accused are finally standing trial “has stirred many emotions.” He also thanked everyone who has supported him since Liga’s gruesome killing. “For those who have had my back, lifted me up, cheered me on and had belief, my undying gratitude and love,” he said.
Liga and her sister Ilze, both originally from Latvia, travelled to Kerala, in India, together. They had planned to spend six weeks at a wellness centre in Pothencode where Liga underwent care involving a full body, mind and spirit therapy treatment. While there, Liga went to buy cigarettes but never returned. Ilze later discovered her sister took a rickshaw from the health centre to a beach nearly 30km away at 7.30am on the day she vanished. However, she left her wallet, passport and bag behind.
A rickshaw driver told police he had dropped Liga at a beach destination at 8.30am and two people confirmed they had seen her at 11.30am, according to Ilze. Police suspected suicide but upgraded Liga’s death to murder after fishermen discovered her remains at a marshy spot. The location is a notorious area for drug addicts and local ‘beach boys’. It is thought Liga was snatched from the beach and ferried by boat before being strangled to death.
📚READ ALSO
🔘INDIA: RBI's digital currency e-rupee will be launched in 4 cities from today
🔘IRELAND: Long delays of weeks and months for NCT appointments; Motorists can avoid fines
🔘KERALA: House for sale with all amenities near Cial Airport
🔘HSE warned :Flu actively circulating in the community
🔘New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is considering lowering the voting age from 18 to 16
🔘Extension of the short term visiting visa for parents of non European workers in Ireland
Latest news & information from www.indiansdaily.com ✔click to follow:
.jpg)
.png)
.jpg)
