Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant ruling, the Thiruvananthapuram Additional Sessions Court sentenced Kedal Jinson Raj to life imprisonment for the brutal 2017 triple murder in Nanthancode. In addition to the life sentence, he was also fined ₹15 lakh, which is to be paid to the victims’ relatives. The court emphasized that this case was not an isolated or extraordinary event, as stated by the prosecution, which called for the maximum penalty, highlighting that the accused showed no signs of mental illness during or after the murders.
The prosecution argued that the murders were pre-planned, pointing to key evidence, including CCTV footage showing Kedal purchasing petrol before carrying out the killings. Furthermore, the accused took critical documents and fled to Chennai after committing the crime, showing clear intent and no remorse. However, the defense team argued that the accused might have had mental health issues, suggesting that his age and psychological condition should be considered.
The case involved the brutal killing of Kedal’s father, Raja Thangath, mother Dr. Jean Padma, sister Caroline, and relative Lalitha, all of whom were viciously murdered by stabbing and burning. Despite initial claims of mental health issues, the police investigation concluded that Kedal’s anger towards his parents was the primary motive behind the killings. The trial, lasting over seven years, concluded with a conviction after testimony from 42 witnesses and the presentation of over 120 documents.
