Accused awarded death sentence in Ambalamukku murder case
Sentencing the convict to be 'hanged by the neck till he is dead,' the court upheld the contention of the prosecution that the case qualified as 'rarest of rare' and that the 'serial killer' posed a continued threat to society with no hope for reformation. The death sentence is subject to confirmation by the Kerala High Court.
Fine of ₹4 lakh
Judge Prasun Mohan, who had found Rajendran guilty of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), also imposed a fine of ₹4 lakh for the crime.
The convict has also been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life and fined ₹4 lakh under Section 397 (robbery or dacoity causing death or grievous hurt), seven years and fined ₹10,000 under Section 201 (destruction of evidence), and three months and fined ₹500 under Section 447 (criminal trespass) of the IPC. The default of the fine amounts would lead to additional imprisonment for five years and a month.
If the fines are realised, ₹4 lakh each will be provided as compensation to Vineetha's son and daughter, who are residing with their grandparents. The court also recommended that the District Legal Services Authority offer them further assistance under the Victim Compensation Scheme.
The murder, committed on February 6, 2022, horrified the residents of Thiruvananthapuram. Rajendran, under the pretence of purchasing plant pots, entered the nursery where Vineetha was working and fatally stabbed her inside the nursery shed. He then stole her gold chain weighing 4.5 sovereigns and fled, covering her body with sand and plastic sheets.
Forensic evidence
A calculated escape followed, involving multiple changes of vehicles and clothes. The breakthrough came from forensic evidence, including blood traces matching Rajendran's DNA on the crime scene and the murder weapon recovered from the tea stall where he worked. In the absence of eyewitnesses, the prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence and utilised scientific analysis, CCTV footage and witness testimonies in proving the case.
Accused in triple homicide
According to the prosecution, led by Special Public Prosecutor M. Salahudeen, the murder was not Rajendran's first crime. He is also the prime accused in a triple homicide case in Tamil Nadu in 2014. Three of his neighbours — Customs officer Subbaiah, his wife Vasanthy, and their 13-year-old daughter Abhisree — were murdered at Aralvaimozhi, Kanyakumari. These murders bore a striking resemblance to Vineetha's case, and these too were allegedly committed for gold and financial gain.
For stock trading
Investigations revealed that Rajendran, with postgraduate degrees in History and Economics, turned to crime to fund his investments in online stock trading. He had worked as a teacher at a private school before embarking on the killing spree.
The prosecution examined 96 witnesses, and presented 222 exhibits and 68 material objects. The court praised the relentless efforts of the investigative team, supervised by former District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram City) G. Sparjan Kumar; the then Assistant Commissioner, Cantonment, V.S. Dinaraj; and Peroorkada Inspector V. Sajikumar.
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