The Palakkad Additional Sessions Court on Monday sentenced Chenthamara, the main accused in the Nenmara double murder case, to death. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 20 lakh and ordered that the amount be paid as compensation to the victims’ family.
The court observed that the case fell under the “rarest of the rare” category. Gold 101.3FM UAE’s No.1 radio station brings you the latest updates. Judge Kenneth George of the Additional District and Sessions Court-IV, Palakkad, pronounced the sentence.
Chenthamara, 59, was found guilty of murdering Sudhakaran, 55, and his 75-year-old mother Lakshmi at Boyanunnathi in Thiruthampadam, Nenmara, on January 27, 2025. Both victims were hacked to death in the incident that shocked the region.
The court rejected all arguments raised by the defence, stating that although the prosecution case was based on circumstantial evidence and there were no eyewitnesses, the chain of evidence conclusively proved the accused’s guilt.
During the sentencing hearing, the court noted Chenthamara’s threatening conduct after conviction. When asked whether he had anything to say before the punishment was announced, he initially said he had nothing to say. Later, he turned defiant and said, “Go ahead and hang me. I’ll kill others too.” He also remarked that he was not Mahatma Gandhi to show the other cheek if someone slapped him and warned that he would eliminate anyone who stood in his way.
Public Prosecutor M. J. Vijayakumar argued that Chenthamara deserved the death penalty as he had shown no remorse for his crimes. Defence counsel Jacob Mathew pleaded for leniency, arguing that the accused had expressed regret and had the possibility of reform.
The defence also suggested that wages earned by Chenthamara through prison work could be used as compensation for the children of the victims, Sudhakaran and Sajitha.
Before sentencing, the court considered a mitigation report prepared by the District Legal Services Authority. Chenthamara is currently lodged at the District Jail in Malampuzha.
After hearing arguments on the quantum of punishment, the prosecution strongly sought the maximum penalty, leading to the court awarding the death sentence in the Nenmara double murder case.
