Palakkad, 20 July (H.S.): A Palakkad Sessions Court on Monday sentenced 61-year-old Chenthamara to death for the brutal murders of Sudhakaran and his mother Lakshmi in the sensational Nenmara twin murder case, describing the crime as a premeditated, cold-blooded act that left no scope for rehabilitation.

The court also imposed a fine of ₹20 lakh, directing that the compensation be shared equally among the daughters and other legal heirs of the victims. However, Special Public Prosecutor Vijayakumar said the State may ultimately have to bear the compensation as the convict has no known property.

The sentence came four days after Additional Sessions Judge-IV Kenneth George found Chenthamara guilty of murdering Sudhakaran and Lakshmi at their residence in Pothundi, Nenmara, on January 27, 2025. The murders were committed while he was out on bail in the murder case of Sudhakaran's wife, Sajitha, a crime for which he was later convicted in October 2025.

Delivering the sentence, the court accepted the prosecution's argument that the killings were carefully planned and driven by revenge. The prosecution contended that the convict had shown no genuine remorse and was beyond rehabilitation, submissions that were accepted by the court.

The court rejected all the defence arguments and accepted the prosecution's case in its entirety, Vijayakumar told reporters after the verdict. He added that the court concluded the murders were unprovoked, meticulously planned and executed with extreme brutality.

The prosecution had sought capital punishment during the sentencing hearing held on July 16, a demand that was supported by the daughters of Sudhakaran and Sajitha.

The defence argued that Chenthamara was suffering from severe depression at the time of the murders and cited his alleged suicide attempt by consuming poison shortly after the killings as evidence of his mental condition. It urged the court to consider these mitigating circumstances while deciding the punishment.

During the trial, Chenthamara's behaviour in court was marked by repeated outbursts. At one stage, he challenged the judge to impose any sentence deemed appropriate, while at another he expressed regret and sympathy for the victims' children. He also made provocative remarks despite his lawyer's advice to remain silent.

Investigators said Chenthamara had purchased the machete used in the murders several days in advance and attempted to mislead police by placing a poison vial inside the house. The prosecution examined 132 witnesses, of whom 81 testified, relying on forensic evidence, call records, bloodstain analysis and eyewitness testimony to secure the conviction despite four witnesses turning hostile.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman