Idukki: A priest and neighbours who rushed to a house at Ezukumvayal in Nedumkandam after learning about the twin murder were met with a disturbing scene. The accused, Ajeesh, was allegedly standing at the doorway, covered in blood, holding a rosary and praying aloud. A knife lay nearby.
When asked what had happened, Ajeesh allegedly told them that he had “sent all the demon-possessed people in the house to God.” He reportedly claimed that God had instructed him to send his parents to the divine presence.
Inside the house, Ajeesh’s father, Antony, was found lying critically injured with severe stab wounds. His internal organs were reportedly exposed, and he was declared dead during the initial examination. His mother, Valsamma, was found in another room, lying on a bed with severe stab injuries and profuse bleeding. She too had died.
The priest immediately informed the Nedumkandam police and remained at the house with Ajeesh until officers arrived. Police subsequently took him into custody.
Antony’s ailing mother was also in the house at the time of the incident. However, according to Ajeesh’s statement to police, he had not received any instruction from God to “send” her to the divine presence.
Accused recorded crime scene
The murders took place around 7.30pm on Friday at Parathara in Ezukumvayal, Nedumkandam. Police allege that Ajeesh stabbed his father Antony and mother Valsamma to death.
Valsamma suffered severe injuries to her neck, while Antony sustained fatal stab wounds to his chest and abdomen. After the murders, Ajeesh allegedly recorded visuals of the crime scene and sent them to a relative and the parish priest. The priest and local residents then rushed to the house.
Ajeesh reportedly told neighbours that he had sent his parents to the presence of God. When police arrived, he was allegedly behaving aggressively while holding the weapon. Officers overpowered him and took him into custody.
Police said Ajeesh had previously been admitted to a de-addiction centre following prolonged alcohol abuse. After returning home, he allegedly resumed drinking and frequently quarrelled with his family and relatives over his earlier admission to the centre.
Preliminary indications suggest that resentment over the issue may have contributed to the murders. Police said Ajeesh had frequently caused trouble at home in connection with his substance use. The exact motive will be established only after a detailed interrogation, police said.
‘Where is Grandma?’ Ajeesh asks during investigation
A forensic team inspected the house on Saturday morning. Following the inquest, the bodies were sent for post-mortem examination and later handed over to relatives.
Police later brought Ajeesh to the house for evidence collection. On reaching the scene, he reportedly asked, “Where is Grandma?” He also questioned who had left the house in such a condition and allegedly claimed the damage was done to him.
During the investigation, Ajeesh reportedly shouted that he was innocent.
Neighbours said Ajeesh was generally quiet and rarely spoke to anyone. However, they said his prolonged alcohol abuse had been followed by frequent quarrels at home.
Local residents described Antony and Valsamma as well-liked and unassuming farmers. The couple mainly made a living by rearing cattle. Their elder son is working abroad. Further investigation is underway
