Thiruvananthapuram: A district court in Kerala has sentenced a 38-year-old man to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 for the murder of his elderly mother in Kadinamkulam in 2021. The verdict was delivered by the seventh additional district court judge, V Anas.
The victim, Reetha, aged 71, was residing in a rented accommodation in Puthukurichy. On May 4, 2021, she was fatally assaulted by her son, Thankachan. According to the prosecution, the accused attacked his mother with a stick, leading to her death. The police investigation revealed that the crime was driven by the accused's belief that the responsibility of caring for his ailing and elderly mother would fall solely on him.
Details of the Incident
On the day of the incident, neighbors recorded the assault on a mobile phone. The footage reportedly showed Thankachan beating Reetha under a tarpaulin sheet tied behind the house and repeatedly hitting her head against a wall. This evidence played a crucial role in the trial.
Trial and Evidence
During the trial, the prosecution examined 21 witnesses, including the individual who recorded the video. A total of 31 documents were submitted as evidence to support the case. Public prosecutor Veni K represented the state, while the chargesheet was filed by the Kadinamkulam police.
The court's decision underscores the severity of the crime and the legal system's commitment to justice for vulnerable victims. The life imprisonment sentence serves as a deterrent against such heinous acts within families.
