Court finds accused guilty in Nelliyambam double murder case

WAYANAD: A court here has found Arjun, accused in the Nelliyambam double murder case, guilty of the crime. The Wayanad Additional District and Sessions Court - 2 said that the punishment will be pronounced on April 29. The murders took place on the night of June 10, 2021, when Arjun hacked an elderly couple during a robbery attempt.

Keshavan, a retired teacher and his wife Padmavathyamma. of Padmalayalam in Nelliyambambam, died in the attack. Arjun is their neighbour. On finding the injured couple, they were rushed to the hospital but died soon after.

Initially, the police received information that two masked men had attacked the couple. However, during an investigation conducted based on forensic test results, Arjun was arrested. The police called him for questioning and he ran away from the station and attempted suicide by eating rat poison hidden in his undergarments.

Arjun later confessed that he hacked the couple during a robbery attempt. The police initially suspected that someone else had helped the accused to commit the crime.

Arjun, who worked in hotels and resorts in Bengaluru and Chennai, came home during the lockdown. He used to do daily wage labour at his native place after losing his job. The deceased Kesavan was a sports teacher in Panamaram and Neervaram schools.