PALAKKAD: The Palakkad Additional Sessions Court is set to deliver its verdict today in the Thenkurissi honor killing case, a tragedy that shook Kerala in 2020. Yesterday, the court found Haritha’s father, Prabhu Kumar (50) and her uncle, Suresh (48), guilty in the murder of her husband Aneesh. The sentencing will be delivered by Judge R Vinayaka Rao in Additional Sessions Court One.

The prosecution contended that Prabhu Kumar and Suresh, motivated by a deep-rooted grudge against Haritha for marrying Aneesh, a man from a backward community, orchestrated the murder. Suresh has been identified as the first accused in this case, with Prabhu Kumar as the second.

An emotional Haritha, devastated by the loss of her husband, stated, “Those who mercilessly killed my Aneeshettan should receive a severe punishment. The court should deliver justice.”

The incident occurred on December 25, 2020, when the accused ambushed Aneesh on a public street in the evening, attacking him with sharp weapons. This gruesome act took place just three months after Anish and Haritha’s marriage, which had already faced severe resistance from her family. Aneesh had reportedly been threatened multiple times by the accused in the months leading up to his murder.

Initially investigated by the local police, the case was later handed over to the District Crime Branch following claims by Anish’s family and Haritha that local authorities had failed to provide adequate security to Anish despite prior warnings. The Crime Branch filed a charge sheet within 75 days, bringing together the testimonies of 110 witnesses to support the prosecution's case.