Shanthakumari murder case: Woman, son getting capital punishment for first time in Kerala, rarest of rare case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A case where a woman gets death penalty for the first time in Kerala, a case where a mother and son getting capital punishment. The verdict in the case of killing Shanthakumari of Mulloor in Vizhinjam after hitting her head with a hammer, has become a rare incident in the judicial history of Kerala. Death penalty was awarded to Rafeeqa Beevi of Vizhinjam Township Colony, her son Shafeeque and Al Ameen (27) of Pattambi. The vital verdict was pronounced by Neyyattinkara additional sessions court.

The Neyyattinkara additional district judge A M Basheer had earlier found the three guilty. The incident happened on January 14 in 2022. The three summoned Shanthakumari, who was staying alone, to their rented home and then strangulated her with a shawl, bludgeoned her using a hammer and then stole her ornaments. Shanthakumari was wife of late Nagappa Panicker. She leaves behind her children Sanal Kumar and Sivakala.

The accused, who tried to escape after hiding her body between the attic and the asbestos roof, were caught by the Vizhinjam police from Kazhakoottam. They were trying to escape to Kozhikode. The charge sheet was filed by Vizhinjam SHO Prajeesh Shasi, sub inspectors Ajith Kumar, K L Sampath and G Vinod under the leadership of Fort assistant commissioner S Shaji.

The accused, who tried to escape by hiding the body between the attic and the asbestos roof, were caught by the Vizhinjam police at Kazhakoottam. The charge sheet was submitted by Vizhinjam SHO Prajeesh Shashi, SIs Ajith Kumar, KL Sampath and G Vinod under the leadership of Fort AC S Shaji.