An elderly couple was set ablaze in Kochalummoodu of Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, October 1. While 60-year-old Prabhakara Kurup succumbed to his burn injuries at home, his wife Vimalakumari died later at the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital where she was under treatment. Panappamkunnu native Sasidharan Nair has been taken into police custody in connection with the murders.
According to the police, the twin murders were motivated by a 29-year-long revenge. Kurup had a hollow brick trading centre near Sasidharan’s house, where the two became acquainted three decades ago. The former had arranged a visa and job opportunity for the latter’s son in Bahrain in 1993. But upon reaching Bahrain, the young man found out that he was cheated; contrary to his expectations, he was given a low-paying job. The young man had then died by suicide.
After this, an enmity developed between the two men, prompting Sasidharan to file a police complaint against Kurup. However, the latter had been acquitted by the court recently. The police believe that this might have triggered Sasidharan to commit the murders.
Police said that the murders were pre-planned. Before setting the couple ablaze with petrol, Sasidharan hit them with a hammer. Kurup’s neighbours rushed to his house after they heard a bursting sound. They said that they found Sasidharan sitting outside the house when they arrived and all his clothes were burned. The neighbours told the media that while they were trying to help the couple, Sasidharan went inside the house and walked out wearing some of Kurup’s clothes. That is when they realised that he might be behind the crime, and caught him and called the police.
Eyewitnesses told the media that both Kurup and Vimalakumari were lying on the floor in a pool of blood. Kurup was found dead while Vimalakumari was still breathing. Soon, the police, fire services and an ambulance arrived at the scene and shifted them to a hospital, where Vimalakumari succumbed to her burns.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.