CHOTTANIKKARA: As entire Kerala is yet to recover from the shock of Koodathayi murders, we are reminded of a set of criminals who had committed similar crimes in order to get hold of wealth and assets. One such case took place 16 years back in Chottanikkara where a woman named Lekha murdered her own mother and other family members so that she could lead a luxurious life with her lover.

On 17th October 2003, people in Kidangayam near Chottanikkara woke up to the shocking news of six family members committing suicide. The family was living in a rented house in the region. Soon police reached the house and while conducting a preliminary investigation, they found two family members alive inside a well. The two were identified as Lekha and her lover Asokan. On questioning, Lekha told that her family had been suffering from a financial crisis which eventually resulted in suicide. She also added that though Asokan and herself attempted to commit suicide, they failed in succeeding in their attempt. The deceased included Lekha's mother, her siblings and her sister's six-year-old child.

However, officials were quick to sense some irregularities in the statements of both Lekha and Asokan. On further questioning, they realized that it was a massacre that took place. The two were eventually arrested later that day. According to the investigating officials, while it was Asokan who planned the massacre, Lekha was the one who killed the family members by adding poison in their food. The couple then decided to stay inside the well so that others will think that they too had attempted suicide. However, it was the knee-level high of water in the well that created suspicion in the minds of the officials.

Lekha, who got separated from her husband, had been involved in an affair with Asokan, her neighbour. Lekha had later revealed that she committed the crime in order to get hold of the assets in the name of her mother and sisters. Both Lekha and Asokan were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Ernakulam Sessions court. Though an appeal was filed at the High court, the bench including Justices AK Basheer and PS Gopinathan had rejected it citing that the prosecution had successfully proved the case with proper evidence.