Attingal double murder: Nino Mathew sentenced to 25 years without parole, double lifer for Anusanthi

KOCHI: The death sentence of Nino Mathew, the first accused in the Attingal double murder case, has been commuted to life imprisonment from death penalty. The high court ordered that he should undergo the sentence to 25 years without parole. The court also upheld the double life sentence of the second accused Anusanthi. The court verdict was on the plea filed by Anusanthi. The verdict was delivered by a division bench comprising Justices P V Suresh Kumar and Johnson John.

The incident happened on April 16 in 2014. Anusanthi’s four-year-old daughter Swastika, her mother-in-law Omana (57) were hacked to death by Nino Mathew after barging into their house in broad daylight. Nino Mathew and Anusanthi were friends and employees of Technopark. Nino Mathew committed the brutal murder to live with Anusanthi.

Anusanthi joined hands with Nino Mathew to commit the crime. Anusanthi's husband Lijeesh was seriously injured in Nino's attack. The court earlier sentenced the defendants clarifying that even if they wash their hands with all the perfumes of Arabia, the stain of sin will not be removed. The court also said that Anusanthi was a shame to motherhood as she conspired to kill her own daughter.

The high court later ordered to examine the socio-economic-family background, mental state, criminal background, abuse, neglect of the two accused jailed. ‘Project 39 A’, a part of the National Law University, Delhi, was entrusted with the task. The court then directed the government to submit mitigation reports on the mental condition, employment and behavior of the accused in jail.

Mitigation investigation
It examines the facts including whether there are other reasons sufficient to commute the death sentence and how the accused became a criminal. The reports submitted by Project 39 A members were kept in a sealed cover by the high court registry until the high court's decision today. Copies of it were given to the prosecution and the defense. There is a law that requires them to keep the report confidential. The high court then considered this report today.