Kochi, India – In a chilling case of family violence, the Ernakulam Additional District Sessions Court has sentenced Babu, 48, to double imprisonment and death for the 2018 Mookkannur triple murder. This verdict comes after a lengthy trial that commenced on May 20, 2022, and concluded with the sentencing on January 31, 2024. The brutal murders took place on February 12, 2018, when Babu murdered his elder brother Sivan, sister-in-law Valsala, and their daughter Smitha, using a billhook. He also attempted to murder Smitha’s son, who intervened and ended up with a fractured hand.
The court’s decision to hand down a collective term sentence of 36 years, which will run concurrently, and impose a fine of Rs 4.1 lakh, reflects the horrific nature of the crimes committed. The convict will first undergo the term sentences before serving the life sentences, which will also run concurrently. However, the death sentence will need to be confirmed by the Kerala High Court.
The case was investigated by S Muhammed Riyaz, the then inspector of police, Angamaly, who filed the chargesheet. The prosecution, led by Special prosecutor P A Bindu and advocate Sarun P Mangara, examined 61 witnesses and produced 102 documents and 43 material objects. The court ultimately found Babu guilty of all 14 charges, including criminal trespass, house trespass, voluntary causing hurt, criminal intimidation, attempt to murder, and murder, among others, as specified under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 447, 448, 323, 324, 506, 326, 307, and 302.
The root of the tragic events lies in a dispute over ancestral property and assets bequeathed by Babu’s mother to his wife. Following an altercation, Babu viciously attacked his family members, resulting in the brutal murders. The postmortem certificate revealed that Smitha sustained 35 major injuries, 33 of which were incised wounds, prompting the judge to describe the murder as “extremely brutal, grotesque, diabolic, revolting, and dastardly.”
The judge’s observations and the severity of the crimes led to the conclusion that Smitha’s murder falls into the category of rarest of rare cases, warranting the sentence of life imprisonment for the accused. This case serves as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences of unresolved family disputes and the devastation it can bring upon innocent lives. It also highlights the imperative of seeking peaceful resolution and intervention in such conflicts to prevent further violence and loss.