‘Cyanide’ Mohan convicted in sixth case

Serial killer ‘Cyanide Mohan’ was found guilty of raping and murdering a 31-year-old woman from Mittur in Bantwal and awarded imprisonment until last breath without remission (parole) by Sixth Additional District and Sessions Judge D T Puttarangaswamy on Thursday.

Mohan, according his modus operandi, had struck a friendhship with the 31-year-old woman who was serving as a home nurse in a private hospital in Puttur.

After introducing himself as Sudhakar Gowda, he had promised marriage to his unsuspecting victim. On April 22, 2009, Mohan met her at Puttur Bus Stand and they travelled together to Mysuru.

After booking a room in Keerthi Lodging, Mohan had raped the victim on the same day. On the following morning, he succeeded in convincing the woman to have pills in order to avoid pregnancy. He handed the cyanide pill to the woman in the toilet complex of Mysuru Bus Stand.

After ascertaining that the woman was dead, Mohan had fled from the place with her money and jewellery.

Mohan with the victim’s cellphone had contacted the family and had informed them that they were happily married and would return after some days.

Mysuru police after discovering the corpse in the toilet had booked a case of unnatural death.

As the victim’s family had not filed any missing complaint, the police after conducting the postmortem had buried the corpse in Mysuru.

Ironically, Mohan had used the phone number of the victim to lure three more victims. He led a lavish lifestyle after pawning the jewelllery with a goldsmith in Mangaluru.

Judge Puttarangaswamy, upholding the argument of Public Prosecutor Judith O M Crasta, had found Mohan guilty under sections 366 (kidnapping), section 376 (rape), section 417 (for cheating), section 328 (for poisoning), section 302 (for murder), section 201 (for destroying evidences) and section 392 of IPC (for robbery).

He was awarded six years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 3,000 fine (on failing to pay the fine amount he will undergo an addition one month of simple imprisonment) for abduction, seven years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 3,000 fine (one month additional imprisonment on failing to pay the fine) for rape, six months simple imprisonment for cheating, seven years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 2,000 fine (on defaulting one month of simple imprisonment) for poisoning, life term till death without remission for murder, five years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 3,000 fine (on defaulting one month of simple imprisonment) for destroying evidences and another five years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 3,000 fine (on defaulting one month of simple imprisonment) for robbery.

The judge had found Mohan guilty on January 29 and announced the quantum of punishment on Thursday. Public Prosecutor Judith O M Crasta said 38 witnesses were examined, 72 documents were presented and 35 material evidences were subjected to scrutiny during the trial.

The judge also directed District Legal Service Authority to pay compensation to the parents of the victim.

Cyanide Mohan, who heard the judgement via vide conferencing facility from Hindalga jail in Belagavi, showed no remorse. He kept asserting that he was innocent.