In a chilling verdict that has stunned Kerala, the First Additional Sessions Court in Muttom on Thursday handed down the death penalty to an 80-year-old man from Idukki for the premeditated murder of his own son, daughter-in-law, and two young granddaughters by setting their house ablaze in a brutal property dispute. Judge Ash K Bal pronounced the sentence against Hameed of Aliyakunnel house in Cheenikuzhy, declaring the crime “extremely brutal” and one that “shocked the public conscience,” leaving no room for leniency despite the convict’s advanced age.

The horrific incident unfolded in the early hours of March 18, 2022, when Hameed, driven by escalating family tensions, allegedly locked the victims inside their home, doused the structure with petrol poured through windows, and ignited the blaze using Molotov-style bottles. Trapped in the inferno, 35-year-old Abdul Faisal, his wife Sheeba, and their daughters Meher and Afsana desperately sought refuge in the bathroom, but succumbed to smoke and flames before help could arrive. The court found Hameed guilty on charges of murder, criminal conspiracy, and destruction of evidence, painting a portrait of calculated vengeance rooted in greed.

Prosecution evidence revealed a bitter backstory. After his wife’s death, Hameed had been living separately in Maniyankudi but returned to demand the return of property documents and assets from Faisal. When his son refused, threats turned deadly. Hameed meticulously planned the attack, procuring petrol in advance and ensuring the family was asleep. The court highlighted his cold-blooded execution—locking exits to prevent escape—as evidence of rare depravity, justifying the capital punishment under India’s “rarest of rare” doctrine, even for an octogenarian.

Also Read: Gorakhpur Man Murders Sister Over Rs 5 Lakh, Dismembers Body to Conceal Crime

Alongside the death sentence, the court imposed a Rs 5 lakh fine, to be directed toward victim compensation or state funds. The verdict has sparked intense debate over capital punishment for the elderly, with legal experts noting that while age is a mitigating factor, the savagery of the crime outweighed humanitarian concerns. Hameed, expressionless during sentencing, was remanded to judicial custody pending appeal, as his defense signaled intent to challenge the ruling in the Kerala High Court.

The case has left Idukki’s close-knit community reeling, with neighbors recalling Hameed as a quiet but domineering patriarch. The tragedy underscores the devastating consequences of unresolved family disputes over inheritance—a pervasive issue in rural Kerala. As the gallows loom, the verdict serves as a grim reminder that no bond, not even blood, is sacred when consumed by greed.

Also Read: Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Claims Murder of Indian Industrialist, Gun Attack on Singer