A Sessions Court in Palakkad, Kerala, on July 20, 2026, awarded the death penalty to Chenthamara, the sole accused in the widely publicised Nenmara twin murder case. The convict was found guilty of murdering Sudhakaran and his elderly mother, Lakshmi, in January 2025.
The judgment was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Kenneth George after considering arguments from both the prosecution and the defence regarding the appropriate sentence. The prosecution had strongly sought capital punishment, arguing that the accused was a habitual offender who displayed no remorse and posed a continuing threat to society.
The case stems from the brutal killings that took place at Pothundi in Nenmara, Palakkad district. According to the prosecution, Chenthamara hacked Sudhakaran and his mother Lakshmi to death at their residence. The murders shocked Kerala due to their violent nature and the circumstances surrounding the accused.
Investigators established that Chenthamara had previously been convicted in the 2019 murder of Sudhakaran's wife, Sajitha. At the time of the twin murders, he was out on parole in connection with that earlier case. Prosecutors argued that the subsequent killings demonstrated a pattern of violent criminal behaviour.
During the trial, the prosecution relied on witness testimony, forensic evidence, medical reports, and circumstantial evidence to establish guilt. The court ultimately convicted Chenthamara and later proceeded to hear arguments on sentencing.
While the defence submitted a mitigation report and sought leniency, the prosecution maintained that the case fell within the “rarest of rare” category warranting the death penalty. Accepting the prosecution's submissions, the court imposed capital punishment.
As per Indian law, the death sentence will require confirmation by the Kerala High Court before it can be executed. The convict also retains the right to appeal against both the conviction and sentence.
The verdict marks a significant development in one of Kerala's most closely followed criminal cases and underscores the judiciary's approach toward repeat violent offenders in exceptional circumstances.