Man gets 10 years for stabbing woman

Coimbatore: A 37-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment on Friday for attempting to murder a woman.

He was identified as M Mahendran, a native of Inchiparai near Valparai, who was working as a server in a resort. He had stabbed J Stella Mary, 33, of Kamaraj Nagar in Valparai, who was working as an office assistant in a private girls higher secondary school, in January 2016. The woman, a widow, was staying with her son and daughter. Mahendran used to stalk her, asking her to marry him. Mary refused his proposal and told him that she was dedicated her life to her family.

On January 30, 2016, when Mary was on the way to the school, Mahendran confronted her and again pestered her to marry him. She threatened to approach police if he disturbs her again.

But Mahendran reached the school around 3pm. She pleaded him not to disturb her. In a fit of rage, he took out a knife and stabbed her. When schoolteachers rushed to the spot, Mahendran managed to escape from the place.

Mary was rushed to the government hospital in Valparai where she received first aid. She was later admitted in the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH). Based on her complaint, Valparai police registered a case against Mahendran under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code and section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 1998.

The district mahila court sentenced Mahendran to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for attempted murder and three years for harassment. The sentences will run concurrently. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 13,000 on him.

Mahendran was lodged in the Coimbatore Central Prison on Friday evening.