KOCHI, INDIA – The Ernakulam Special POCSO Court today convicted Sanu Mohan of the murder of his 13-year-old daughter Vaiga in a case that shocked the state in 2021. Mohan was sentenced to life imprisonment and an additional 28 years of rigorous imprisonment for charges including kidnapping, drugging, and destroying evidence.

Judge K Soman delivered the verdict, ordering Mohan to serve the 28-year imprisonment first followed by the life sentence. Mohan was also directed to pay a fine of Rs 1,70,000. Although Mohan pleaded for leniency, citing the need to care for his 70-year-old mother, the court refused to consider his plea. The prosecution had requested the court to consider the case as “rarest of the rare” and sentence Mohan to death.

The police filed a 236-page chargesheet in the case on July, 9 2021, placing the blame for Vaiga’s death solely on her father. According to the chargesheet, Mohan planned his daughter’s murder to escape his creditors and start a new life. He also attempted to stage a suicide to mislead the investigation. However, the police found evidence contradicting Mohan’s statement.

Vaiga was found dead by drowning in the Muttar River in Kochi on March 22, 2021. The previous day, Mohan had visited a relative’s house in Alappuzha with his wife and Vaiga. Subsequently, both Mohan and Vaiga went missing, prompting an investigation. Vaiga’s body was located in the river and evidence pointed to Mohan as the perpetrator.

In conclusion, Sanu Mohan has been sentenced to life in prison and 28 years of rigorous imprisonment for the murder of his daughter Vaiga, along with other charges including kidnapping, drugging, and destroying evidence. This case has shocked the state of Kerala and led to a thorough investigation by the authorities.