Kerala HC quashes death sentence of man who stabbed nephews; Imposes 30-year life term

Kochi: In a significant judgment, the Kerala High Court has quashed the death sentence of Thomas Chacko, alias Shibu, who was convicted for the brutal stabbing of his two nephews in front of their mother. The court, however, sentenced the 47-year-old to life imprisonment for 30 years without parole and imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakhs.

A bench comprising Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. delivered the verdict, which overturned the death penalty handed down by the District Additional Court of Pathanamthitta. The lower court had originally sentenced Shibu to death, deeming the murder of the children in front of their mother a rare and heinous crime.

The High Court reviewed the appropriateness of the death penalty versus a life sentence for a fixed period, considering various factors, including the prison life report of the accused. After thorough deliberation, the judges decided to revoke the death sentence, substituting it with a 30-year life term without the possibility of parole.

The tragic incident occurred in 2013 following a property dispute. Shibu attacked his brother's sons, Mebin (3) and Melbin (7), at their home. On the morning of the incident, Shibu arrived at their house, where he first stabbed Melbin, who was in the yard. When their mother attempted to intervene, Shibu threw chilli powder in her face, incapacitating her, and then proceeded inside the house to stab Mebin.