Pathanamthitta: A man who killed two children in front of their mother has been sentenced to death. Pathanamthitta additional sessions court 1 handed the capital punishment to Thomas Chacko, 47, aka Shibu of Maadatheth House in Keekozhur, Ranni, for killing his younger brother’s children.

The horrible incident happened on October 27, 2013. Melbin, 7, was playing in front of the house around 7.30am when Shibu stabbed him with a knife. He threw chilli powder in the mother’s face when she tried to stop him and went on to kill Mebin, 3, inside the house.

Remorseless culprit

Shibu remained remorseless even after hearing the verdict for killing two children likely over property dispute. He chitchatted with people around him while waiting hours for a copy of the verdict on a bench in the court corridor.

He evaded media cameras while handcuffed between two policemen. The verdict seemed to make no effect on him as Shibu nonchalantly walked towards the police jeep.

Flawless investigation

Investigating officers and the prosecution breathed a sigh of relief when capital punishment was pronounced. The then Ranni CI J Umeshkumar had led the investigation team. He is now an ACP in Kochi Special Branch. The team had collected enough evidence during the investigation for a flawless trial.

Another case of attempt to suicide was also registered against Shibu after the incident. This helped the murder case since the accused confessed to the killings during its trial. The team could also prove the murder was premeditated. Shibu had kept diesel ready in his vehicle to set the house on fire. The knife used in the act was bought from Ranni, strengthening the prosecution’s premeditation angle. They could also prove vendetta with the property case. The prosecution produced 35 witnesses, 45 documents and 15 physical evidence pieces.

'Rarest of the rare' case

Shibu was found guilty under IPC sections 302, 323, 324 and 449 earlier. Pronouncing the verdict, the judge said it was a 'rarest of the rare' case. He was handed three years imprisonment for hurting the mother, 10 years for setting the house on fire and 10 years rigorous imprisonment for murder after breaking and entering. A fine of Rs 5,45,000, to be given to the mother, was also pronounced.

Heartbroken father

"We don’t know why he did it. But he got what he deserved," said Mathew Chacko (Shaibu), Shibu’s brother who lost both his kids. He sobbed as he responded to the verdict in front of the court.

"The guilty should be punished. That’s how an example is set. He is unrepentant even after committing a gruesome crime. No one should go through what we have. I wanted to ask him why, but couldn’t. I paid him when he wanted to buy a house and a vehicle. We had reached an agreement over the property too," Shaibu said. "But he asked me to pay rent and leave once I came home from work due to illness. He had left home for a rented place complaining he cannot take care of parents."

Shaibu was in the Gulf when the incident occurred. His wife Bindu and the children were staying at the ancestral house along with Shaibu’s father MJ Chacko and mother Elikutty.

Shaibu has not returned to the Middle East since. The couple has moved in to a new house. He drives an autorickshaw and breeds cattle. Bindu works in a beauty parlour in Ittiyapara, Ranni.

Read more: Latest Kerala news