Kerala Double Murder: A Family Torn Apart, Witchcraft Allegations, and a 36-Hour Manhunt

Neighbour Accused of Brutally Killing Father and Grandmother; Motive Tied to Past Grudges

January 29, 2025: Kerala Double Murder: Neighbour’s Revenge Wipes Out Family in Palakkad

Nenmara town in Kerala’s Palakkad district is reeling from a shocking double murder that has left a family devastated. Sudhakaran, 55, and his mother Lakshmi, 75, were brutally stabbed to death in their home on Monday by their neighbour, Chenthamara, who was out on bail for the 2019 murder of Sudhakaran’s wife, Sajitha.

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The double murder has sparked widespread outrage, with protests erupting outside the local police station, forcing authorities to use mild force to disperse the crowds. Chenthamara, 58, was arrested after a dramatic 36-hour manhunt.

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A Family in Grief

Sudhakaran’s daughters, Akhila and Athulya, are grappling with the horrific loss of their father and grandmother, just five years after their mother was also murdered by the same man. “He killed our mother in 2019 and now our father and grandmother. What will stop him from killing again?” they asked, demanding the death penalty for Chenthamara.

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In 2019, Chenthamara allegedly murdered Sajitha over suspicions of witchcraft. Released on bail after serving a few years in prison, he returned to his home in Nenmara, just steps away from Sudhakaran’s residence. Despite pleas from the family and local residents to relocate him, no action was taken, leaving Sudhakaran’s family vulnerable.

A Chilling Motive

According to police, Chenthamara confessed to killing Sudhakaran and his mother out of fear that Sudhakaran would retaliate for his wife’s murder. Reports suggest Chenthamara believed that Sudhakaran’s family had used witchcraft to ruin his marriage, which drove him to commit Sajitha’s murder in 2019.

The recent double murder was premeditated. Chenthamara reportedly purchased a weapon specifically for the crime and intended to target other members of Sudhakaran’s family, including his estranged wife. Fortunately, Sudhakaran’s second wife and daughters were not at home when the attack occurred.

The Manhunt

Following the murders, Chenthamara fled to a nearby forest, using his familiarity with the terrain to evade capture. For over 36 hours, police tracked him, eventually employing a clever tactic to flush him out. Officers pretended to call off the search, hoping he would let his guard down. Starving and desperate, Chenthamara attempted to return to his house for supplies, where police were waiting to arrest him.

Aftermath and Legal Action

The arrest of Chenthamara has ignited public outrage, with angry crowds protesting outside the police station and demanding justice for the family. Police are now reconstructing the crime and preparing the case against him.

This devastating series of murders has left Nenmara in shock, highlighting failures in the justice system and the dire consequences of releasing dangerous offenders on bail.

Tags: Kerala Double Murder, Palakkad Crime, Chenthamara Arrest, Witchcraft Motive, Sudhakaran Family, Bail Controversy, Justice for Sudhakaran, Crime in Kerala, Kerala Police Manhunt