THODUPUZHA: The court has found the accused guilty in the case of murdering his son, daughter-in-law and their two children over a property dispute. The quantum of sentence will be pronounced on October 30. The verdict was pronounced by Thodupuzha Muttam First Additional Sessions Court judge Ash K Bal. The accused is Hameed (80) of Cheenikuzhi.

The news of the murder of Muhammed Faizal (45) of Cheenikuzhi, Udumbannur, Thodupuzha, his wife Sheeba (40) and their children Meharin (16) and Asna (13) on March 19, 2022 had shocked the entire hometown. No one could believe that it was their own grandfather who had killed his two grandchildren. Hameed threw petrol into the bedroom of Faizal after ensuring that the family had gone to bed. He locked the doors from outside to stop the family from escaping and then set them ablaze.

After making sure that Faizal, his wife and children had gone to sleep, he had drained the water from the water tank. He also cut off the electricity to the motor that was pumping water to the neighboring house. He then locked the bedroom door from outside and lit two petrol bottles on fire and threw them inside through the window. Faizal and his family, who woke up screaming as the fire broke out, went into the bathroom adjacent to the room and tried to put out the fire, but there was no water.

Rahul, their neighbour rushed and pushed Hameed down, but he threw petrol bottles through the window again. The neighbors who woke up after hearing the screams and explosions could not enter the house. Hameed was arrested on the day of the incident.

In addition to the crucial witness statements and circumstantial evidence, the accused confessed to the crime, and the proceedings were completed quickly and the charge sheet was filed. Special Public Prosecutor Advocate M Sunil Maheswaran Pillai appeared for the prosecution. The prosecution examined 71 witnesses and the defense examined three witnesses. The prosecution also presented 139 documents, including electronic devices, in court as evidence.