On January 20, 2025, a Kerala court sentenced 22-year-old Greeshma S. to death for murdering her boyfriend, Sharon Raj.
The case shocked many because of its disturbing details and how digital evidence helped solve it.
Greeshma left behind a trail of online searches that were key in proving her guilt.
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How Google searches exposed the crime
Investigators found that Greeshma had searched Google for information about poisons like paraquat, a deadly herbicide, and paracetamol before killing Sharon.
She mixed the poison into an Ayurvedic drink and gave it to him on October 14, 2022. Judge A M Basheer called the evidence from Google Cloud a “saviour” in solving the case, saying it showed how carefully Greeshma planned the murder.
The court revealed that this wasn’t her first attempt. Earlier, she tried to poison Sharon by mixing paracetamol into juice, but he refused to drink it because of its bitter taste.
When that failed, she searched for more potent poisons and ways to use them just hours before giving Sharon the fatal drink. After consuming it, Sharon suffered for 11 days in the hospital before passing away.
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A chilling plan uncovered
The police had no eyewitnesses and relied on digital clues, such as Greeshma’s Google searches, call records, WhatsApp chats, and CCTV footage, to build their case.
These pieces of evidence showed how she carefully planned and executed the crime. The judge described her actions as “cold-blooded” and “diabolical.”
Greeshma’s mother was found not guilty of tampering with evidence, but her uncle was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in covering up the crime. The family has said they will appeal the verdict.
This case shows how technology can leave clues that are impossible to erase. As Judge Basheer said during sentencing, “No one can commit a crime without leaving a trace.”