Mumbai:
Three years after TV executive Neeraj Grover was brutally murdered, a Mumbai court has found small-time Kannada actress Maria Susairaj not guilty of murder, but of destroying evidence. It has held her boyfriend Emile Jerome Mathew, a Navy Lieutenant, guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and of destroying evidence. This carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.
Here are the judge's observations while dictating the verdict:
- It's crystal clear from circumstances that the incident happened in Flat 201 at Dheeraj Solitaire building (where Maria was staying). Neeraj Grover was with Maria in flat 201
- Jerome visited flat 201 at 7.30 am on the morning of 7th May 2008
- Prosecution has not proved the time of Neeraj's death (which means that the prosecution has not proved Neeraj died before Jerome's arrival in the flat)
- There was no reason for accused Maria to kill Grover
- Jerome made a call on Maria's phone
- Evidence shows he was nervous and upset after that
- Despite of knowledge that disciplinary action could be taken against him, Jerome suddenly flew to Mumbai without taking leave
- There was no conspiracy between Maria and Jerome. Maria had no motive
- Maria went to Hypercity mall and purchased articles. She also borrowed a Santro car from her friend
- Neeraj Grover's blood was found in the Santro car (that Jerome and Maria drove to Manor to dispose his body)
- Maria could have run away when she went to borrow a friend's car. She went to the extent of going ahead with the plan
- As she had rented a flat, it was not possible for her to run away from there
- Maria, Jerome were both responsible for disposing Neeraj's body
- Grover was alive when Jerome came to Maria's place