Man out on bail for killing neighbour's wife 5 years ago comes back to murder neighbour and his mother

A shocking double murder took place in Nenmara, Kerala, when Sudhakaran (55) and his 75-year-old mother, Lakshmi, were brutally stabbed to death in their home. The accused, Chenthamara, a 58-year-old neighbor, was arrested after a 36-hour search. Chenthamara had been released on bail after serving time for the 2019 murder of Sudhakaran's wife, Sajitha. Following the latest killings, the local community has been left reeling, and protests erupted outside the police station after Chenthamara’s arrest.

Sudhakaran’s daughters, Akhila and Athulya, were devastated by the loss of their parents in such violent circumstances. They lost their mother, Sajitha, in 2019 when Chenthamara allegedly murdered her. Akhila and Athulya had voiced concerns about Chenthamara's return to the area after his release from prison, claiming that they had asked the police to remove him from the neighborhood. However, their warnings went unheeded, and on Monday, Chenthamara allegedly murdered both Sudhakaran and his mother in their home.

Chenthamara reportedly confessed to the crime, telling police that he believed Sudhakaran would seek revenge for his wife’s murder. Police sources revealed that Chenthamara suspected Sudhakaran’s family of being responsible for his own wife leaving him, allegedly due to witchcraft. This belief led Chenthamara to murder Sajitha in 2019. After spending time in prison, Chenthamara was granted bail and returned to Nenmara, where the double murder took place. He is said to have purchased a weapon specifically for this crime.

The killings of Sudhakaran and Lakshmi were premeditated, according to police. After the murders, Chenthamara fled to a nearby forest to hide, evading the police for over 36 hours. Authorities reported that Chenthamara, familiar with the forest, kept track of the police’s movements and avoided capture. A breakthrough came when police announced the end of the search, prompting Chenthamara to return to his home to gather supplies. As he made his way back, police were waiting and arrested him around 10:30 PM.

Following the arrest, protests erupted outside the police station, with locals demanding justice for the victims. The police used mild force to control the crowd. Chenthamara is expected to be presented in court, where further legal proceedings will take place. Police are also considering taking the accused to the crime scene for a reconstruction of the murders.