Cheenikuzhi mass murder: Hameed found guilty of killing 4 family members, sentencing on Oct 30

Thodupuzha: The Thodupuzha Muttam First Additional Sessions Court on Tuesday found Cheenikuzhi Aliyakunnel Hameed guilty of murdering four members of his own family. The verdict was delivered by Judge Ash K Balan on October 30.

According to the prosecution, Hameed meticulously planned and executed the brutal killing of his son, daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters by setting their house on fire while they slept. The prosecution urged the court not to consider the accused’s age as a mitigating factor, citing the calculated and cold-blooded nature of the crime. The defence, however, pleaded for leniency on humanitarian grounds, pointing to Hameed’s advanced age.

The victims were identified as Muhammad Faizal (45), his wife Sheeba (40), and their daughters Mehrin (16) and Asna (13) — all residents of Aliyakunnel House, Cheenikuzhi.

The incident occurred around 12.30 am on March 19, 2022, at Cheenikuzhi in Udumbannoor. Investigations revealed that Hameed ensured the family was asleep before draining water from the tank and disconnecting the electricity to prevent any rescue effort. He then locked the bedroom door from outside and hurled two petrol-filled bottles through the window after lighting them.

As flames engulfed the room, Faizal and his family screamed for help and ran to the bathroom, only to find there was no water. A neighbour, Rahul, who tried to intervene, was pushed aside by Hameed. The accused then returned and threw more petrol bottles into the burning room.

Hearing the screams, neighbours rushed to the spot but were unable to rescue the family as the house was already in flames. Later, rescuers recovered the charred remains of the four victims — along with burnt schoolbooks, toys, and clothing — painting a haunting picture of the tragedy.

Hameed was arrested the same day. Based on eyewitness accounts, circumstantial evidence, and his confession, the police completed the investigation swiftly and filed the charge sheet.

Special Public Prosecutor Adv M Sunil Maheshwaran Pillai appeared for the prosecution.