Beedi tycoon held guilty of mowing to death security guard

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 today found guilty by a court here.
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 tomorrow. 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.
Jamanthi said Nisham should get the maximum sentence for the henious act.
"He should get death sentence. Nothing short of death... then only our family will be rendered justice," she said.

Some of Nisham's relatives, who were also present, criticised what they called "media trial".
A huge posse of police personnel was present in the court when Nisham was brought.
The case had some twists and turns as the then Thrissur city Police Commissioner Jacob Job was suspended after reports that he had questioned the accused alone in violation of rules.
There were also reports that the accused was provided five star facilities by the police including permitting him to use mobile phone.