Nenmara Double Murder: Chenthamara sentenced to death, fined Rs 20 lakh

Palakkad (Kerala): 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 directed that the amount be paid as compensation to the victims' family. The court orally observed that the case fell under the "rarest of the rare" category. The sentence was pronounced by Kenneth George, Judge of the Additional District and Sessions Court-IV, Palakkad.

Chenthamara (59) was found guilty of murdering Sudhakaran (55) and his 75-year-old mother, Lakshmi, who were hacked to death at Boyanunnathi in Thiruthampadam, Nenmara, on January 27, 2025.

The court rejected all the arguments raised by the defence. It observed that although the prosecution's case was based on circumstantial evidence and there were no eyewitnesses to the murders, the chain of evidence conclusively established the accused's guilt.

The court noted that Chenthamara's conduct after being found guilty was threatening in nature, extending even towards the court. When asked whether he had anything to say before sentencing, he initially replied that he had nothing to say.

He later turned defiant, saying, "Go ahead and hang me. I'll kill others too." He also remarked, "I'm not Mahatma Gandhi to show the other cheek if someone slaps me. Write whatever you want."

The accused further told the court that he would eliminate anyone who stood in his way.

When the case came up for hearing again on July 16, the court heard arguments from the defence counsel seeking leniency in sentencing, followed by submissions from the prosecution.

Public Prosecutor MJ Vijayakumar argued that Chenthamara deserved the death penalty as he had shown absolutely no remorse for his crimes. Defence counsel Jacob Mathew, however, pleaded for the minimum possible sentence, contending that the accused had expressed remorse.

The defence also argued that Chenthamara had the potential to reform and suggested that the wages he earned through prison work could be paid as compensation to the children of Sudhakaran and Sajitha.

Ahead of the sentencing, the court received a mitigation report prepared by the District Legal Services Authority. Chenthamara is lodged at the District Jail in Malampuzha.

After hearing arguments on the quantum of punishment on July 16, the prosecution sought death penalty.

Public Prosecutor M. J. Vijayakumar told reporters that the mitigation investigation report stated that the convict had expressed remorse for his actions.