Man gets death sentence for killing pregnant woman

The Additional District and Sessions Court in Kundapur convicted Prashanth Mogaveera and pronounced a death sentence for sexually assaulting and murdering a pregnant woman in Padugopadi, Koteshwar on April 11, 2015.

Pronouncing the verdict on Tuesday, Judge Prakash Khanderi imposed death sentence for killing the victim, ten years imprisonment each for the offense of sexual assault and robbery, another four years imprisonment for attempting kidnap and one year imprisonment for gaining illegal entry into the house.

Prashanth Mogaveera, gained entry into the house of the victim Indira by asking for water. Indira was seven months pregnant and also had a kid. Prashant sexually assaulted her and later killed her by smashing her head with a boulder. The accused also robbed her of her gold before fleeing the spot. He was arrested by Kundapur police on April 12, the very next day of the crime.

Under the guidance of the then district Superintendent of Police K Annamalai, Circle Inspector Diwakar P M had filed the chargesheet.

When the accused was produced before Udupi court for investigation, he tried to defend himself by stating that when he went to Indira's house for theft, three persons were sexually harassing her and he tried to rescue her. At the time, his clothes were stained with blood. He also attempted to portray the three witnesses as the criminals.

The court had convicted the accused on February 14 and announced the quantum of punishment on February 20. The court had investigated 23 witnesses in connection with the case and had considered the murder of the fetus seriously. 41 wounds on the body of the victim played a crucial role in proving the crime.

Special Public Prosecutor Ravikiram Murdeshwar said that the case was rare and the judgment has totally been satisfying.

Prashant broke down after the judge announced the quantum of punishment.

A large group of people, including Indira's husband and her family members, were present in the court.