Death for Chenthamara in double murder case
Chenthamara received a death sentence on Monday after a court in Palakkad found him guilty of the double murder in Pothundy, a case the judge classified as “rarest of rare.” The Additional District and Sessions Court‑IV sentenced the convict to hanging and imposed a fine of ₹20 lakh as compensation for the victims’ children, directing the state to cover the amount because the offender lacks the means to pay.
Details of the conviction
The court convicted Chenthamara under Sections 103(1) and 126(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for killing Sudhakaran, 50, and his 75‑year‑old mother, Lakshmi, at their Boyan Colony home on January 27 2025. The prosecution argued the murders were pre‑planned, a view the judge accepted, noting the defendant’s repeated attempts to justify the killings and his threats toward the victims’ family.
Evidence presented at trial included testimony from 81 witnesses and scientific analysis that linked Chenthamara to the crime scene. The court highlighted that the circumstantial nature of the proof did not preclude the death penalty, emphasizing the convict’s lack of remorse. The sentencing is pending confirmation by the High Court.
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During the hearing, the defence cited a mitigation report from the District Legal Services Authority, arguing that Chenthamara might still be capable of reform. It also suggested that earnings from his prison labour could be directed to the victims’ family. The judge rejected these arguments, stating that the seriousness of the offenses outweighed any potential for rehabilitation.
Background and prior offenses
Chenthamara’s criminal record includes an earlier conviction for the murder of Sudhakaran’s wife, Sajita. In October 2025, the same court sentenced him to double life imprisonment and levied a fine of ₹3.25 lakh. According to the prosecution, Chenthamara blamed Sudhakaran’s family for the departure of his own wife and daughter, later claiming they used black magic against him.
While out on bail for the Sajita murder case, Chenthamara allegedly violated bail conditions by returning to Pothundy, where he carried out the killings of Sudhakaran and Lakshmi. Police detained him the following day after conducting a search in nearby hills. The murders left Sudhakaran and Sajita’s two daughters, Athulya and Akhila, orphaned.
Relatives of the victims said repeated complaints about Chenthamara’s threats and his bail violations were ignored by authorities, sparking criticism of the police response. The investigation, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police N. Muralidharan, was completed in 56 days, a pace the court praised during sentencing.
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The daughters attended the courtroom and expressed a mixture of relief and lingering grief. “We are happy with the sentence. But our happiness is nothing compared to the loss suffered by those two girls,” said Mr. Muralidharan, the investigating officer.
For the families, the judgment may bring a sense of closure, yet the practical impact is limited. The compensation order, while symbolic, does not replace the loss of parental care, and the state’s responsibility to fund the payment highlights the challenges of providing restitution to victims of serious crimes.
Chenthamara was transferred from the court to Viyyur Central Jail in Thrissur after the verdict. The case remains under appeal, and the High Court will decide whether to uphold the death penalty.
