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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Beauty of democracy: Tharoor congratulates BJP on civic body poll win in his constituency
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday, while lauding the win of the UDF in Kerala local bodies elections, also congratulated the BJP for its historic performance in his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, calling it the "beauty of democracy".
In a post on X, he said the people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in his constituency.
"What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through.
"A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020," Tharoor said.
He said he also acknowledges the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and "offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city corporation - a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital's political landscape."
Tharoor said he campaigned for a change from 45 years of the LDF "misrule", but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance.
"That is the beauty of democracy. The people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency.
"We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocating for the people's needs and upholding the principles of good governance. Onwards and upwards!" Tharoor, who is the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said.
The lotus bloomed in the state capital as the BJP-led NDA achieved a resounding win in the polls for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, snatching it from the CPI(M)-led LDF and marking an end to 45 years of continuous Left rule in the local body.
The win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will act as a boost for the BJP in the 2026 Assembly polls, especially in the state capital.
Of the 101 wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP won 50, LDF 29, UDF 19 and two wards were won by independent candidates.
The BJP is one seat short of a decisive majority in the corporation.
Besides this, the NDA retained the Palakkad municipality after a close battle with the Congress-led UDF and wrested the Thrippunithura Municipality from the grand old party.
In Thrissur, from where Suresh Gopi won in the Lok Sabha polls last year, the BJP won 18 out of the 46 wards in Kodungallur Municipality, eight in Thrissur Corporation, two each in Guruvayoor and Vadakkancherry municipalities, seven in Kunnamkulam Municipality, six in Irinjalakuda Municipality and one in Chalakudy Municipality.
