'Discrimination even while serving food': Youngest son Saji confesses to killing mother, elder brother

NEDUMKANDAM: Saji (43), the youngest son accused in the case of killing his elderly mother and brother in Pachady and burying the mortal remains in the family plot, confessed to the crime. Saji gave a statement to the police that the attempt to delay his marriage and discrimination at home motivated him to commit the murder.

After killing Marykutty (70) and her son Reji (48), Saji wrapped their bodies and kept them in a room adjacent to the bathroom for two days. Later, he buried the remains in a cow dung pit by removing the soil. The pit was dug in a way to not evoke suspicion from neighbours. Lime was spread on the body to help it decompose quickly and prevent any bad odour from emanating.

The reason for the provocation was the mother's insistence that he marry only after his elder brother's marriage, and Reji's taunt, often questioning Saji's paternity. Saji also said that he faced discrimination even when it came to serving food. The accused's statement is that he strangled his mother and beat his brother to death. After the murder, he sent out wedding invitations in his hometown. He initially invited them, saying that the wedding was on the 23rd. But he sent out invitations again, saying that it was cancelled and that the wedding would be held on the 30th. The police investigation shifted to Saji after his sister Sini filed a complaint that her mother and brother were missing. Saji, who fled to the forest area after seeing the police, was caught by locals on Tuesday afternoon.

The bodies were found in a completely decomposed state in the compound of the house on Monday. A team led by District Police Chief Sabu Mathew took the accused to the crime scene and collected evidence. Saji was taken for a medical examination at the Nedumkandam Taluk Hospital. District Police Chief Sabu Mathew said that the complete picture of the murder will be revealed after the accused is taken into custody and further questioned. The bodies of Marykutty and Reji were buried in the Nedumkandam panchayat public crematorium after a post-mortem at the Idukki Medical College.

The police are re-investigating the disappearance of Saji's father, Mathew, who went missing eight years ago. Mathew, who was a prominent evangelist, went missing on May 9, 2018. Although his eldest son, Reji, had filed a complaint that day, no investigation was conducted.

Mathew used to stay out of town for days as part of spreading evangelism. The police are intensifying their investigation into Mathew's disappearance in the wake of the double murder.