Jayanandan, a native of Poyya, Thrissur, is a notorious criminal linked to 23 cases, including five murders. He was acquitted in three of the murder cases and convicted in two. He was sentenced to death for the murder of a Puthanvelikara native in Ernakulam, a verdict later commuted to life imprisonment by the Supreme Court.

Many narrowly escaped becoming victims of Jayanandan, infamously known as the 'Ripper.' His modus operandi was brutal—killing anyone in cold blood for gold or money. Despite having only an eighth-grade education, Jayanandan carried out a string of thefts and murders, drawing inspiration from violent scenes in movies. In one particularly gruesome act, he cut off a victim's hand to steal a gold ring that was difficult to remove.

The scale of his crimes remained under the radar of investigators until his seventh murder, which finally brought his name to the forefront. Even the CBI found themselves stumped, as Jayanandan left no substantial evidence behind at his crime scenes.

To avoid leaving fingerprints, Jayanandan would wear socks on his hands. He reportedly told police that he learned techniques to destroy evidence, such as spraying kerosene and releasing gas, from watching films. His criminal ingenuity did not end with his murders—he twice managed to break out of jail. He first escaped from the Kannur Central Jail but police recaptured him in Ooty. Later, he broke out of Poojappura Central Jail with an accomplice, only to be apprehended again in Thrissur.

Jayanandan, who now remains jailed, exhibited no remorse for his heinous acts. When KM Antony IPS, one of the investigating officers, asked if he felt guilty for his crimes, Jayanandan’s response was chilling: "I live for my wife and children. Apart from that, I don't think about who else should live or die."