In a shocking case, a Mahila Court in Chennai sentenced 25-year-old D Sathish to death for murdering college student S Sathya by pushing her in front of a train in 2022. The brutal incident stemmed from his harassment after her engagement. The court also imposed additional penalties, including compensation for Sathya’s family.
Chennai: In a case that has left the nation in shock, a Mahila Court in Chennai sentenced 25-year-old D Sathish to death for the brutal killing of 20-year-old college student, S Sathya, in 2022. Sathish was convicted for the cold-blooded murder after he pushed Sathya in front of an oncoming train at the crowded St Thomas Mount railway station, leading to her instant death. The verdict was delivered by Judge J Sridevi of the Mahila Court.
To give a background, on October 13, 2022, Sathya, a college student from Tambaram, was waiting at the station with a classmate to board a train. What was supposed to be a routine day turned into a nightmare. Sathish, a former friend turned stalker, approached her at the station.
Having been harassing Sathya for some time, especially after her recent engagement, Sathish and Sathya got into a heated argument. In an act of sheer violence, Sathish shoved Sathya onto the tracks just as a train was speeding towards the station. Sathya died instantly in front of horrified onlookers.
Eyewitnesses, who were present at the scene, could hardly believe their eyes as they saw Sathya pushed onto the tracks. CCTV footage of the tragic incident further cemented the evidence against Sathish, playing a crucial role in the investigation and trial. Within hours of the crime, Sathish was arrested after fleeing the scene.
Sathya’s death had devastating consequences beyond her own tragic end. The news of her death led to even more heartbreak for her family. Sathya’s father, unable to bear the loss of his beloved daughter, took his own life soon after hearing the news. Both Sathya and Sathish lived in the same police quarters in Alandur, a neighbourhood in Chennai. Sathya’s mother, a police constable, and Sathish’s father, a retired sub-inspector, had once been friends. However, their relationship soured due to Sathish’s obsessive behavior towards Sathya, which eventually led to the horrific act.
On December 27, 2024, the court convicted Sathish under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for murder and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act for his persistent harassment of Sathya. The sentence was announced on Monday, with the judge stating,
“The accused is sentenced to death and is to be hanged by the neck till he is dead.”
This sentence, however, is still subject to confirmation by the Madras High Court.
In addition to the death penalty, Sathish was also sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment under the Tamil Nadu anti-harassment law. The court imposed a fine of Rs 35,000 on the accused, and a compensation of Rs 10 lakh was ordered to be given to Sathya’s younger sisters, who are left to cope with the devastating loss of their sibling.
The trial saw over 70 witnesses testify against Sathish, providing vital evidence of his obsession and the horrific crime he committed. CCTV footage, witness statements, and the disturbing details of his behavior were all key factors in securing the conviction.
The judge’s ruling reflected the severity of the crime, as Sathish’s actions not only robbed a young woman of her life but also left a family shattered forever.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE