Nenmara double murder: SHO suspended for inaction despite bail violation alert

Kozhikode: Following the Nenmara double murder case, Mahendra Simhan, the Station House Officer (SHO) of the local police station, has been suspended for failing to take proper action in the investigation. This decision follows a report by the Superintendent of Police (SP) that highlighted serious lapses on the officer's part regarding the accused's violation of bail conditions.

According to the SP's report, the SHO failed to act despite being informed that the prime accused, Chenthamara, had violated his bail condition in his previous murder case by entering the Nenmara panchayat limits. Chenthamara, who had been released on interim bail, was not allowed to enter the area as part of the conditions set by the court. Locals and the family of the victims had reportedly alerted the police that Chenthamara had returned to his house in Pothundi, but no immediate action was taken.

The SHO had initially explained that a copy of the bail order was not available at the police station, but this explanation was rejected in SP's report. The lack of response from the local police led to protests from relatives and local residents, who expressed anger over the police's inaction despite receiving critical information about the violation of bail terms.

In light of the officer's failure to follow through, the police department has taken swift action and suspended the SHO, while also increasing efforts to nab Chenthamara, who has been absconding since the double murder.

The double murder took place on Monday when Chenthamara, who had been out on bail, brutally attacked and killed Sudhakaran and his mother Lakshmi. The two victims were neighbors of the accused in Pothundi, Nenmara. Chenthamara, who was previously jailed for the murder of Sudhakaran’s wife, Sajitha, reportedly committed the killings due to ongoing personal issues, including allegations that Sajitha and her family had caused the breakdown of his marriage.

Chenthamara had been granted interim bail just before his trial for Sajitha's murder was scheduled to begin next month. 

Police teams have been deployed to search for the absconding accused in various locations.