Chenthamara found guilty in Nenmara twin murders; sentencing on July 15
A court in Palakkad, Kerala, has found Chenthamara guilty of the 2025 twin murders of his neighbor and her mother. The sentencing is scheduled for July 15, following a history of violent offenses by the accused.
Why it matters
The case highlights significant concerns regarding police negligence and the failure of the justice system to prevent repeat violent crimes by individuals out on bail.
The Additional District and Sessions Court-IV, Palakkad, on Monday (July 13, 2026) found accused Chenthamara guilty of murdering his neighbour Sudhakaran and mother Lakshmi at Pothundy in Nenmara in Palakkad, Kerala, on January 27, 2025. The court will pronounce the sentence on July 15.
The verdict, originally scheduled for July 6, was deferred to July 13 after the judge was indisposed.
Chenthamara, the lone accused, appeared remorseless as the verdict was delivered. Asked if he had anything to say, he told the court to “hang” him.
The District Probation Officer informed the court that Chenthamara posed a continuing threat to society and was likely to commit further crimes if released.
The murders had shocked Kerala as Chenthamara committed them while out on bail in the 2019 murder of Sudhakaran’s wife Sajitha.
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