Nenmara double murder case: Key witnesses turn hostile during trial, change their statement in favour of Chenthamara

PALAKKAD: In a significant development, key witnesses in the sensational Nenmara double murder case have turned hostile during the trial. The witnesses who changed their statements are Chenthamara's brother Radhakrishnan, his wife and a neighbour. The prosecution requested the court to treat them as hostile witnesses.

The shocking double murder took place on January 27, 2025. Pothundi Boyan Nagar natives Sudhakaran and his mother Lakshmi were hacked to death by Chenthamara. Chenthamara had earlier been in jail in connection with the murder of Sudhakaran’s wife and had come out on bail before committing the two murders. After committing the murders, Chenthamara fled from the scene. Police and locals carried out an extensive search to catch him, an operation that drew widespread attention across Kerala at the time.

The trial in the case is currently underway at the Palakkad Additional Sessions Court. Several people have already given statements against Chenthamara. Meanwhile, three key witnesses have now changed their statements.

Among them, the most important witness is Chenthamara’s brother Radhakrishnan. Earlier, he had told the police that Chenthamara had called him a day before the murders and said he would kill Sudhakaran and go to jail. However, in court, Radhakrishnan changed his statement and said that Chenthamara had not called him the day before the murder.