Consumption of paraquat, a deadly herbicide, led to Sharon Raj’s death due to organ failure, Thiruvananthapuram police forensic surgeon Dhanya Raveendran, who conducted the autopsy, told the court.

Dr. Raveendran also stated that the victim did not suffer from any previous co-morbidity. The herbicide had a poison that severely damaged his kidneys, liver and lungs. She also cited studies on paraquat poisoning by renowned toxicology expert VV Pillay.

Referring to the absence of toxins in the viscera and blood of the victim, the surgeon testified before Additional District Judge Neyyattinkara AM Basheer that 90% of the toxic chemical is bound to be excreted by the human body within 24 hours of its consumption. No trace of paraquat was found in Sharon’s blood after she underwent dialysis three times.

The testimony appeared to bolster the prosecution’s theory against first-accused Greeshma that she had given Sharon an ayurvedic tonic laced with herbicide.

Senior Civil Police Officer Anitha, who seized a mobile phone used by Greeshma, identified her during the trial. She had handed over the phone to the Deputy Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) of the Crime Branch, the investigating officer in the case.