THAKER RAMANLAL

LONDON HUSBAND GUILTY OF MURDER IN CONTROLLING LOVE TRAGEDY

A 'bitter' husband has been convicted of murdering his wife in London after attacking her in her workplace with a knife.

Thaker Ramanlal, aged 48, was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years.

The incident occurred on 13 February at Peacocks clothing store in Mitcham, where he stabbed his wife, Varsha Champaclal, 43, in a storeroom after she sought to start a new life apart from him.

The court heard that Ramanlal, who lived on Coombe Lane, Kingston, had a history of controlling and abusive behavior, including chasing his wife with a hammer at their family home.

Despite being issued a non-molestation order after that incident, Mrs.

Champaclal had warned in her statement that without legal protection, her and her daughters' lives were in danger.

Ramanlal's guilty verdict was reached after the jury deliberated only 90 minutes.

Prosecutor Peter Finnegan QC told the court that after 20 years of marriage filled with bullying and controlling behavior, Mrs.

Champaclal finally decided to make a new start for herself and her children.

The court rejected Ramanlal's diminished responsibility claim, and he was sentenced to life for the murder.