Susairaj moves HC against conviction

Kannada actor Maria Susairaj has moved the Bombay high court against her conviction in the trial court in connection with the Neeraj Grover murder case.

Kannada actor Maria Susairaj has moved the Bombay high court against her conviction in the trial court in connection with the Neeraj Grover murder case.

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In her appeal, Susairaj has claimed that her participation in the destruction of evidence was committed under a threat to life.

Relying on section 92 of the Indian Penal Code, Susairaj states that nothing -- except murder, and crime against the state -- is an offence, if done by a person who has been compelled to do so on being threatened with death.

The actress was convicted by the trial court last month and sentenced to three years imprisonment for her involvement in the murder of TV executive Neeraj Grover in May 2008.

She was released from prison after the sentence as she had already served the prison sentence as an undertrial. Co-accused Emile Jerome was convicted for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and was awarded a 10-year jail sentence.

Susairaj, in her appeal, has stated that Jerome had reasons to kill Grover after he saw her and Grover in a compromising position. Her appeal states that she was trying to save Grover and even sustained injuries during the incident.

The appeal says the trial judge erred on various counts, including the facts detailing the time and cause of death.