Paravur (Kochi): Ritu Jayan, accused in the Chendamangalam triple murder case, is reportedly a habitual criminal with a history of causing trouble in the community. Local residents claim that Ritu is a drug addict and regularly disturbed the peace in neighborhood. Despite multiple complaints to the police about his behaviour, he often managed to avoid action by presenting a certificate for mental health treatment. Police records indicate that Ritu has cases filed against him in both Ernakulam and Thrissur, and had been remanded in connection with these cases twice.

Although Ritu is listed as a rowdy, many locals did not pursue formal complaints. Recently, after returning from Bengaluru, Ritu allegedly committed the gruesome murders out of personal enmity. Following the crime, he took the bike of one of the victims, Jithin, and drove to the police station.

In the days leading up to the murders, Ritu's neighbours had filed five complaints against him. These complaints described his threats to kill them, along with his habit of spreading malicious rumours about women in the area. The family of the deceased, particularly Venu, had installed CCTV cameras due to the threats Ritu made against them. Despite these repeated warnings, police action was delayed, and the horrific attack ultimately led to the loss of three lives.

Subhash and his wife Dhanya of Kulangara Kaattuparambil, who live opposite Venu's house, believe that if the police had acted on the complaints earlier, the tragedy might have been prevented. Dhanya had filed a complaint against Ritu, and in the most recent one, both Ritu and the complainants were summoned to the police station for questioning. Subhash and Dhanya recounted that Ritu had repeatedly threatened to set Dhanya and her daughter on fire with petrol. He was known to harass neighbors, banging on windows, kicking gates and using obscene language. Ritu also spread damaging rumours about Dhanya circulating her phone number, as well as the number of the murdered Vinisha, to various people. Both Subhash and Dhanya had filed complaints against Ritu at the Vadakkekkara police station on three separate occasions.

The local residents firmly believe that, had the police acted on time, the tragedy could have been avoided.