Sankaranarayanan, who shot daughter Krishnapriya’s rapist to death, dies

MALAPPURAM: Sankaranarayanan of Poovancheri Thekkeveettil in Malappuram, who killed his daughter Krishnapriya’s rapist, died here today. He was 75. Krishnapriya was raped and murdered by Muhammed Koya of Elankur Charangavu Kunnummal, their neighbour when she was studying in the seventh standard. She was 13 years old then. The incident happened on February 9 in 2001. She was subjected to brutal abuse when she was coming home from school. Sankaranarayanan shot Koya to death when he was released on bail after a year. After committing the crime, Sankaranarayanan went straight to the station and confessed to the crime. Koya was 24 years old then. If Krishnapriya was alive, she would have turned 37 now.

The Manjeri Sessions Court sentenced Sankaranarayanan and two others to life imprisonment in the case, but the high court acquitted him due to lack of evidence. The court released Sankaranarayanan, saying that there was lapse from the side of police in recovering the body and the accused who had criminal behaviour, will have other enemies.

Sankaranarayanan supported his family by raising cattle. After Krishnapriya died, Sankaranarayanan never slept in the bed where he slept with his daughter. He was in tears throughout his life. His neighbours said that he always talked about Krishnapriya until his death. They said that even though Sankaranarayanan has died, he will be remembered as long as Kerala and Malayalees exist. He leaves behind his wife Shanthakumari and sons Prasad and Prakash.