They seemed a loving couple: Ex-employer

Stresses that Rejikumar will serve life term until death, given the grave nature of crime

- SHYAM P V @ Palakkad

THE SUPREME Court on Tuesday commuted the death sentence of Rejikumar, the prime accused in the 2008 Amayur mass murder case in Pattambi, citing his good conduct in prison. However, the court has made it clear that Rejikumar will serve life imprisonment until his death, given the grave nature of the crime.

A three-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Karol, and Sandeep Mehta passed the verdict.

The court reviewed a detailed report on Rejikumar's behaviour and the work he undertook during his time in jail, which led to the commutation of the death sentence.

The crimes at the heart of the Amayur mass murder case took place between July 8 and 22, 2008. During this period, Rejikumar meticulously planned and executed the murders of his wife Lissy and their four children - Amalu, Amal, Amalya, and Amanya. Investigations later revealed that he had sexually assaulted his eldest daughter before committing the murders.

Rejikumar killed his wife and children in three phases, strangling each of them to death.

The bodies were hidden in various places: Lissy's body was found in a septic tank, Amal and Amanya's remains were recovered from a nearby thicket, and the bodies of Amalu and Amalya were found inside the house.