Marvin Jailed 25 Years; Nurse Accomplice Lamha Receives 15-Year Sentence in Murder of Philippine Nurse

The Criminal Court has sentenced Marvin S.Y. Vargas (Yoosuf) to 25 years in prison after finding him guilty of murdering his wife, Mary Grace, a Philippine nurse who worked at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). The court also sentenced Haleemath Lamha, a nurse who was in a relationship with Vargas, to 15 years in prison after finding her guilty as an accomplice.

The court delivered the sentences following its ruling on 22 June, in which it found both defendants guilty of the charges against them.

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Vargas was convicted of the offence of knowingly committing murder, which carries a base sentence of 10 years. The state had sought an enhanced sentence of 25 years, while the defence requested the minimum penalty.

Presiding Judge Muzammil Nasir increased the sentence to 25 years, citing aggravating factors including the fact that the victim had committed no wrongdoing and that Vargas had attempted to conceal the crime. The court also noted the impact of the offence on the victim’s child, who was left without parental care.

Vargas has already spent four years, six months and four days in detention, which will be deducted from his sentence. He is required to serve the remaining term of 20 years, three months and five days.

Lamha was also found guilty of aiding and abetting the murder. The court said the charge was proven beyond reasonable doubt.

She was sentenced to 15 years and four months in prison. With credit for time served — three years, five months and 25 days — she will serve a remaining term of around 11 years.

The state had sought the maximum penalty for Lamha, arguing that her involvement was premeditated and that the victim’s child was left without parental support as a result of the crime. Prosecutors also said the offence was committed to sustain the relationship between Lamha and Vargas.

Lamha requested leniency during sentencing, but the court rejected the request, stating there were no mitigating circumstances. Judge Nasir said the sentence reflected the seriousness of her involvement, including her role in the offence and attempts to conceal it.