NENMARA: If Chenthamara got his hands on even ten rupees, he would rush off in a frenzy—to see the astrologer whom he trusted completely. Whatever the astrologer said, he believed it without question and followed it blindly. If he was told to visit a temple, he would go and visit the temple. If the astrologer asks him to perform black magic, he would do that too. He even went as far as selling his wife’s gold to find money for his relentless visits to the astrologer.

Unable to bear his torture any longer, his wife left him. However, Chenthamara firmly believed what the astrologer had told him—that the root cause of all his misfortunes was a woman with long hair. That innocent woman named Sajitha became the target of his blind faith. It was based on the astrologer’s words that Chenthamara brutally murdered Sajitha in 2019.

Locals and relatives claim that another woman, Pushpa, was the next person in Chenthamara’s circle of suspicion. "He always carries a machete. The one police found during the investigation is not the only one—he keeps another with him at all times. He carries it around, waiting for the moment to take revenge on those he believes ruined his life. No matter how much people scold or advise him, he refuses to change," neighbours said.

Pushpa said she is terrified of Chenthamara. She is so afraid of him that she doesn’t even go to the outdoor toilet at night. "It is said that my name is also on the hit list he has prepared. I live in constant fear of death. Even hearing a noise outside my house sends me into a panic. He has threatened me multiple times with deadly weapons. Despite filing police complaints, no action has been taken so far," Pushpa reveals.