Kerala Hummer case: Businessman convicted for running over guard

Thrissur: Kerala beedi baron Mohammed Nisham, who had in a fit of rage allegedly rammed his luxury car Hummer against a security guard leading to his death last year, was on Wednesday found guilty by a court.

Delivering his order convicting Nisham of murder among other charges in a packed court hall, First Additional District and Sessions Judge K P Sudheer said he would pronounce the quantum of punishment on Thursday.

Nisham had rammed his Hummer against security guard Chandrabose, 51, after brutally beating him up as he was reportedly angry over the delay in opening the main gates of the posh residential complex 'Shobha city' here in the early hours of January 29.

The case had evoked widespread protests across the state. Chandrabose's mother and wife Jamanthi, who were present in the court to hear the verdict, told reporters that the convict should get death penalty.

"I have lost my son. My daugther in-law has lost her husband," his mother said with tears rolling down her aged cheeks.

The prosecution pressed for maximum punishment of death sentence and a compensation of Rs five crore to the family of the security guard. Public Prosecutor C P Udayabhanu submitted that the "society wanted the maximum punishment meted out to the accused, who is a threat to the society".

The court found Nisham guilty under various sections of IPC including 302 (murder), 326 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons) and 427 (committing mischief).

Police chargesheet had contained scientific evidences  and other documents to prove the charges, including murder, against Nisham. Though Nisham's wife Amal was a witness to the incident, she had later turned hostile.

Statements of 12 eyewitnesses, including that of Amal, had been been recorded under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Besides, statements of over 100 witnesses had also been recorded and attached with the chargesheet.

Nisham, who was in an "inebriated" state, had allegedly in a fit of rage assaulted Chandrabose and later rammed his luxury vehicle against him.The severely injured guard, treated in a hospital with ventilator support, died on February 16.