Wayanad, India: In a recent verdict, the Wayanad Additional District and Session Court handed down a sentence to Arujun for the Nelliyambam double murder case. The court ruled in favor of capital punishment for Arujun, who was responsible for the deaths of retired physical education teacher Keshavan Nair and his wife Padmavati during a failed robbery attempt.
The crime occurred on June 10, 2021, when Arujun, who had returned home during the lockdown while working in hotels and resorts in Bengaluru and Chennai, attempted to rob the elderly couple. Working as a daily wage laborer on a plantation, Arujun was spotted until 6 pm on the day of the murder. Nair, a respected physical education teacher in the district, tragically lost his life alongside his wife in the robbery gone wrong.
Initially, authorities suspected a two-member gang in the heinous act. However, a forensic analysis later confirmed Arujun’s sole involvement in the brutal murder. The investigation revealed that Arujun first tried breaking into the house through a rear window but resorted to knocking on the door when he noticed Nair inside. As Nair went out to investigate, Arujun seized the opportunity to enter the house and hide.
During the intrusion, Arujun accidentally made noise, alerting Nair, who discovered him trying to escape. In a panic, Arujun stabbed Nair and later his wife Padmavati, leading to their tragic deaths. Despite not intending to harm the couple initially, Arujun chose to retreat when he realized the severity of his actions, ultimately fleeing the scene without achieving his robbery goal.
The court’s decision to sentence Arujun to capital punishment reflects the gravity of his crimes and the tragic loss of two innocent lives in the Nelliyambam double murder case. The community mourns the senseless violence that robbed them of a beloved teacher and his wife, leaving a scar that will not easily heal. As justice is served, the memory of Nair and Padmavati lives on in the hearts of those they touched.