Kasaragod: In a tragic culmination of a property dispute, Kasaragod District Additional Sessions Court Judge A. Manoj has sentenced P. Ambika (49) to life imprisonment for the murder of Ammalu Amma (68), wife of the late Narayanan Nair from Kolathur. The court found Ambika guilty of suffocating and strangling her mother-in-law over disagreements regarding property ownership.

The court imposed life imprisonment and a fine of two lakh rupees for the murder, along with an additional five years' imprisonment and another two lakh rupees fine for tampering with evidence. Failure to pay the fines will result in additional imprisonment of two years and one year, respectively. Ambika committed the crime by strangling Ammalu Amma, pressing her face with a pillow, and using a nylon rope around her neck.

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The incident took place in September 2014. According to the charge sheet, after killing the mother-in-law who was sleeping on the floor of the house, she tied the body to the pole of the house to make it look like a suicide. Notably, the court acquitted Ammalu Amma's son Kamalaksha (57) and grandson Sarath (29) of any involvement. 

Initial investigations were conducted by the Bedakam police sub-inspector, K. Anand and the charge sheet was filed by the Adoor police inspector, Sathish Kumar, after a thorough investigation. Additional Government Pleader E. Lohithakshan and Advocate Athira Balan represented the prosecution in court. Dr. S. Gopalakrishna Pillai, the forensic surgeon from Kannur Medical College, conclusively ruled out suicide, confirming the death as a homicide.

The roots of this tragic saga lie in a contentious land dispute. Following a property transaction where Ammalu Amma sold 70 cents of land and purchased new property in her son's name, relations soured drastically. Allegedly, her children began neglecting her, denying her access to her favourite TV shows and meals, prompting her to demand reinstatement of the property in her name.