Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Thiruvananthapuram Additional Sessions Court (Court VI) on Tuesday sentenced Priyaranjan, accused in the Kattakkada Adishekhar murder case, to rigorous life imprisonment. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh. Earlier, the court had found him guilty of intentionally killing 15-year-old Adishekhar.

Murder driven by personal enmity

According to the prosecution, Priyaranjan deliberately rammed his car into Adishekhar on August 30, 2023, driven by personal animosity. Initially believed to be a road accident, the incident was later reclassified as murder after CCTV footage revealed the deliberate nature of the act.

Triggered by confrontation at temple

The motive behind the crime was reportedly a previous dispute between the duo. Adishekhar had questioned Priyaranjan for urinating on a temple wall. Angered by this, the accused waited near the temple ground. When Adishekhar was returning home on his bicycle after playing, Priyaranjan hit him with the car. He then fled and was later arrested from Tamil Nadu.

Deceased

Adishekhar, the victim, was a Class 10 student at Chinmaya School, Kattakkada.

He is son of Arun Kumar, a teacher, and Sheeba, a Secretariat employee.