Pothundi twin-murder accused convicted in 2019 Sajitha killing

The Fourth Additional District and Sessions Court in Palakkad on Tuesday convicted Chenthamara, the main accused in the high-profile Pothundi twin-murder case, for the 2019 murder of Sajitha.

Additional District and Sessions Judge-IV Kenneth George found Chenthamara guilty of killing his neighbour Sajitha, 35, in 2019. The court held him guilty on all counts, including murder, destruction of evidence, and unlawful entry. The quantum of punishment will be announced on October 16.

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Chenthamara, who is also accused of murdering Sajitha’s husband Sudhakaran and his mother Lakshmi in January 2025 at Pothundi while out on bail, was present in court when the verdict was pronounced. He remained expressionless throughout the proceedings.

According to the prosecution, Chenthamara attacked Sajitha with a chisel at her home in Nenmara. Investigators said he believed that Sajitha and a neighbour, Pushpa, were responsible for his estrangement from his wife. At the time of the crime, Sajitha’s husband was working in Tamil Nadu, and her children were at school.

After securing bail in the case, Chenthamara allegedly violated bail conditions multiple times, returning to Nenmara and threatening residents.

He allegedly committed a brutal double murder on January 27, 2025, killing Sudhakaran (54) and his elderly mother Lakshmi (75) at their residence in Pothundi. He then fled to a nearby forest, where he was arrested by the Kerala Police on January 29. His bail in the Sajitha case was subsequently revoked.

The trial for Sajitha’s murder, which took place in Nenmara in 2019, lasted nearly six years and included testimony from 50 witnesses, among them Chenthamara’s estranged wife. The prosecution presented extensive evidence including forensic reports and over 30 official documents.