UK Court sentences Kerala man to 40 years imprisonment for killing wife and two children
New Delhi: Saju Chelavalel, a 52-year-old native of Kannur district, of Kerala has been sentenced to 40 years in prison by the Northampton Crown Court in the Kettering triple murder case, reported The News Minute.
The court found Saju guilty of killing his wife, Anju Asok, 35, a nurse, along with their two young children, Jeeva Saju, 6, and Janvi Saju, 4, under the influence of alcohol. The incident reportedly happened on December 14, 2022, and the verdict was delivered on Monday, July 3.
Quoting an official statement from the Northampton police, The News Minute wrote, the forensic post-mortem examinations conducted at Leicester Royal Infirmary confirmed that all three victims died due to asphyxiation. Saju had previously pleaded guilty for the triple murder during an earlier hearing at the Northampton Crown Court in April. The court reconvened on July 3 to deliver the sentence, sentencing Saju a life term with a minimum of 40 years to be served in prison.
In reference to an audio recording taken at the time of Anju's death, Justice Pepperall made a comment during the trial: "While you were squeezing the life out of your wife, your children can be heard crying in the background for their mummy. It is clear that they heard what was going on and knew that she was being hurt by you," wrote The News Minute.
As per the report, during the trial, it was revealed that Saju had attempted to contact Anju's family while in prison, as said by a spokesperson representing Anju's family.
The incident happened in December; when the police reached the spot after they received an emergency call, they found Saju holding a knife to his neck, threatening to kill himself. He was brought under control by the police with a Taser. However, Anju and his children were pronounced dead as soon as the officers found them.
Quoting media reports, The News Minute stated that Anju's father expressed satisfaction with the UK court’s decision. During the court proceedings, the police had revealed that Saju committed the crime due to suspicions on Anju.
Saju Chelavalel had previously worked in Saudi Arabia before relocating to England when Anju secured a job there.
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Chandrashekhar Swamiji apologises for remark on denying voting rights to Muslims
"If my statement has upset our Muslim brothers, I deeply regret it."
Bengaluru: Kumara Chandrashekharanath Swamiji, head of the Vishva Okkaliga Mahasansthana Mutt, has expressed regret over his controversial statement suggesting that "Muslims should be denied voting rights."
In a press release, Swamiji clarified, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."
He further added, "Okkaligas are inherently tolerant of all religions. We have always treated people of every faith equally. Our Mutt maintains cordial relations with Muslims, and they frequently visit us. Similarly, we attend their weddings and other joyous occasions. Hence, there is no intolerance towards this community." Swamiji appealed to the public to disregard the controversy surrounding his remark.
The controversial statement was made during a farmers' rally, ‘Raita Gharjana,’ organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Karnataka Pradesh, at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, on Tuesday. Addressing the gathering, Swamiji had said, "A law should be enacted to deny voting rights to the Muslim community, and the Wakf Board should be abolished."
The remark drew widespread criticism from political leaders and the public alike. Following the backlash, Swamiji issued his apology, stating, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."
