KOLLAM: A Kerala court on Saturday sentenced G Sandeep, a 42-year-old school teacher, to life imprisonment for the sensational murder of Dr Vandana Das at Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital in May 2023. In addition, the court imposed a total of 30 years for other offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which Sandeep will serve before commencing the life term for the murder, according to special public prosecutor Prathap G Padickal. Dr Das, 23, a house surgeon and the only child of her parents from Kaduthuruthy, Kottayam district, was attacked with surgical scissors in the early hours of May 10, 2023. Sandeep, who had been brought to the hospital by police for treatment of a leg injury sustained in an alleged quarrel near his home, first assaulted police personnel and a private individual accompanying him, before fatally stabbing the young doctor. Dr Das succumbed to her injuries at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. The court, which had convicted Sandeep on March 17, found him guilty under multiple IPC provisions, including murder, destruction of evidence, and wrongful restraint, as well as under the Kerala Healthcare Service Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2012. It rejected the defence claim of schizophrenia, ruling that Sandeep was fully aware of his actions and had premeditated the attack. During the trial, over 70 witnesses testified and more than 200 documents—including medical and forensic reports—were examined. Psychiatric evaluations confirmed the accused’s mental fitness at the time of the incident. Reacting to the verdict, Dr Vandana’s parents expressed relief but also indicated dissatisfaction with the punishment, signaling plans to pursue an appeal seeking the death penalty. The prosecution has confirmed it will recommend filing an appeal to enhance the life term to capital punishment, arguing the attack was a “rarest-of-rare” case. Dr Vandana’s mother tearfully said the family wishes for maximum punishment, noting that her daughter had been stabbed 27 times in the attack. The incident had sparked widespread outrage across Kerala, prompting protests from the medical community demanding stronger protection for healthcare workers.(With agency inputs)
