Reena murder case: Court sentences husband to life imprisonment; verdict based on children's testimony and circumstantial evidence

Husband Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Wife’s Murder in Ranni
A court in Pathanamthitta has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for murdering his wife in Ranni. The Additional District Sessions Court found Manoj, a resident of Therittamadam Mannoorath House, Pazhavangadi Chakkittam Poyka, guilty of killing his wife, Reena. The conviction was based on the testimony of their children and circumstantial evidence.

In addition to the life sentence, the court imposed a fine of ₹2 lakh, which must be distributed to the couple’s children. If the accused fails to pay, the amount will be recovered from his assets.

Earlier, the court had found Manoj guilty of murder and wrongful confinement. The crime occurred on the night of December 28, 2014. The motive behind the murder was suspicion regarding Reena’s fidelity, which had led to frequent domestic disputes. On the day of the incident, an argument erupted over a phone call Reena had received. Out of fear, Reena and her mother fled to the house of a local panchayat member. Manoj was called there, and the matter was seemingly resolved before he returned home.

However, around 1 AM, another heated argument broke out. Reena tried to escape, but Manoj attacked her with a wooden log, hit her with a wheel spanner, and brutally smashed her head against the autorickshaw frame and the ground.

Reena succumbed to her injuries at Kottayam Medical College. Manoj fled the scene but was later arrested by the police from Chethongara.