Kollam, 21 March (H.S.): In a significant verdict in the shocking murder of young doctor Vandana Das, the Kollam Sessions Court on Saturday sentenced the accused, G. Sandeep, to life imprisonment. The court also imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh and awarded additional sentences for related offences.

Apart from life imprisonment for murder, the court sentenced Sandeep to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for attempted murder. He was also given separate 10-year sentences for acts of violence inside the hospital and for attacking healthcare workers. All charges framed by the prosecution were upheld by the court.

The verdict comes a day after the court found Sandeep, a native of Kudavattur Cherukarakonam near Odanavattom, guilty in the case. The prosecution had argued that the crime fell under the “rarest of rare” category and sought the death penalty, but the court awarded life imprisonment instead.

The incident dates back to May 10, 2023, when Dr Vandana Das, a house surgeon at Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital, was brutally stabbed to death while on duty. Sandeep, a 44-year-old school teacher from the same locality, had been brought to the hospital by the Pooyappally police for medical examination.

According to the prosecution, Sandeep suddenly turned violent inside the casualty ward and used a surgical knife to attack the doctor. The assault also left five others injured, including three police personnel who attempted to restrain him.

During the trial, the prosecution examined over 70 witnesses and presented 207 documents as evidence. The defence argument that the accused suffered from mental illness was rejected by the court.

The case had sparked widespread outrage across Kerala, raising serious concerns about the safety of healthcare professionals on duty.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman