Shivamogga: A local court has sentenced five members of a family to three years of rigorous imprisonment for physically and mentally harassing a woman, ultimately driving her to suicide.Prema was repeatedly abused by her husband and in-laws over trivial issues after her marriage. She was forcibly separated from her children and sent back to her parental home. When she asked to return to her marital home, the accused allegedly told her to “consume poison and die”.Dejected, Prema consumed a poisonous liquid in late March 2017 and was hospitalised. She died a week later in April.Bhadravathi Rural police registered a case against her husband, in-laws, and their relatives under various provisions of the IPC, including cruelty by husband or relative of husband. The charge sheet was later filed, and Rathnamma P appeared as the public prosecutor.On Feb 13, the IV additional district and sessions Ccourt, Bhadravathi, Judge Indira Mailaswamy Chettiar, convicted and sentenced Mohan R (husband), Sarojamma, Rangappa, Shekhar and Murthy to three years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh. The court directed that Rs 1 lakh from the fine be paid as compensation to the victim’s mother, Chandramma.
