According to prosecution, M Suresh (31) of Gandhi Nagar Colony in Chinnamanur was found guilty of murdering his pregnant wife Karpagavalli (19) of Pommarajapuram, Andipatti taluk and her fetus. Suresh, who was the former president of Highwavys Town Panchayat, suspected her wife’s fidelity and used to quarrel often with her and tortured her. Frequent quarrels between the couple resulted in murder on July 21 in 2015. Suresh assaulted Karpagavalli and strangled her with a ‘thali rope’ to death. During the incident, Suresh was also said to have kicked on her pregnant wife’s abdomen leaving the six-month fetus dead.

Based on a complaint lodged by Nallathambi, father of the deceased, Chinnamanur police filed a case against the accused under Section 302 (murder) of IPC. After investigating, the police arrested Suresh and remanded him in judicial custody. Later, when medical evidence proved the cause of the death of the fetus, the police invoked Section 316 (causing death of quick unborn child by act amounting to culpable homicide) of IPC. When the case was heard in the trial court, the Judge after prosecuting witnesses, pronounced the verdict ordering the accused Suresh to hang him till death. He was convicted on two counts of murder and causing fetus death. Apart from the death sentence, the accused was also sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment of 10 years. Besides, a fine of Rs10,000 was also imposed.