Kochi: Chilling details have emerged from Ernakulam's Chendamangalam, where three family members were brutally murdered with an iron rod, allegedly by their neighbour, Ritu Jayan. The victims—Venu (Kannan), his wife Usha, and their daughter Vinisha—were killed in the vicious attack, while their son-in-law Jithin remains critically injured and is receiving medical treatment.

The attack occurred after a heated argument between Ritu and the family, with whom he had ongoing disputes. According to reports, Ritu barged into the house while his mother, Kairali, tried to stop him. She pleaded with him to stop but was pushed aside as Ritu locked the door behind him and carried out the attack.

The accused, who is allegedly involved with a local gang, was arrested after he arrived at the police station on a motorcycle. Ritu has a history of criminal behaviour, with three prior cases against him, including two instances where he was remanded in custody. Neighbours claimed that Ritu had been harassing them under the influence of drugs. Police also revealed that Ritu had returned from Bengaluru just two days before the attack.

Residents had previously complained about Ritu’s aggressive behaviour, but no formal complaints had been filed until now. Local sources also indicated that he had used a mental health certificate to avoid police action in the past.

The Brutality of the Attack

The attack began when Ritu approached the house with an iron rod. His mother, Kairali, tried to intervene and stop him but was pushed aside. Ritu then entered Venu's house and carried out the brutal killings after locking the door behind him. He attacked the victims using a shock absorber stump from a bike, targeting their heads with the intent to kill. The distance between the two houses was just 15 feet, and neighbours reported that Ritu had previously caused trouble by knocking on the gate of Venu's house.

Eyewitnesses and Aftermath

Two children, Avni and Aradhika, witnessed the tragic events. They saw their father, mother, grandfather, and grandmother lying lifeless in the hall. The children, crying in fear, were rescued and are now being sheltered by relatives.

The police suspect that Ritu may have committed the murders under the influence of drugs, and he has undergone a medical examination.

Dispute Over a Dog

Reports indicate that the attack was preceded by an argument between Venu’s family and Ritu over a dog. Ritu claimed that the dog from Venu’s house had entered his property. The situation escalated when Ritu forcibly took Vinisha's phone, which had recorded the threatening interaction. The police are continuing their investigation into the incident, and the community is left in shock over the brutal crime.