News Desk
30 October 2025, 02:31 PM IST
Idukki court sentences 80-year-old Hameed to death for burning his son’s family alive.
Accused Hameed-The deceased family members
Idukki, Kerala: An Idukki Additional Sessions Court on Thursday sentenced 80-year-old Hameed to death for setting his son, daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters on fire at Cheenikuzhi in 2022. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh.
Although the defence pleaded for leniency citing Hameed’s old age and breathing difficulties, the court said the “brutality of the act” warranted the maximum punishment.
Family burnt alive inside locked room
The horrific incident took place shortly after midnight on March 18, 2022. Hameed locked the bedroom door from outside, poured petrol through the window, and set it ablaze.
Inside were his 50-year-old son Muhammad Faisal, daughter-in-law Sheeba (41), and granddaughters Mehreen (17) and Asna (12). Trapped with no escape, all four perished in the flames.
Long-standing property dispute behind crime
Police investigations revealed that the killings stemmed from a long-running property dispute between Hameed and his sons.
Hameed had earlier abandoned his family to live with another woman but returned years later after being traced by his elder son, Shaji. He then began living with Faisal’s family and demanded the return of property he had previously transferred to his sons.
When the family refused and court rulings went against him, his anger deepened. A day before the murders, Hameed argued with Faisal’s family and threatened to burn them alive. Faisal reported the threat to Karimannoor Police Station, and both sides were asked to appear the next day — but the crime took place that same night.
Carefully planned execution
Before carrying out the attack, Hameed moved his documents and money to a relative’s house. He then drained the water tank, cut the water pump wires, and filled 12 plastic bottles with petrol to use as firebombs.
He ignited one bottle by lighting cotton stuffed inside it and threw it through the bedroom window, followed by others. The room caught fire instantly, forcing the victims to take shelter in the bathroom, where they died trapped by the flames.
Neighbour’s rescue attempt failed
A neighbour, Rahul, rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call from one of the children. He spotted Hameed near the burning room, pouring more petrol. When Rahul tried to force open the door, Hameed hurled additional flaming bottles, blocking any chance of rescue.
Arrested within hours
After the murders, Hameed fled to a relative’s house and confessed. He was arrested by Karimannoor Police while attempting to escape in an autorickshaw.
Swift investigation, strong evidence
A special investigation team led by Idukki Narcotics Deputy Superintendent AG Lal and Inspector Sumesh Sudhakaran completed the probe within 80 days. The 900-page charge sheet included 116 witnesses, 62 material objects, and 92 documents.
The court examined 71 witnesses and accepted 94 documents and 62 items as evidence. Forensic analysis confirmed traces of petrol on Hameed’s clothes and body.
Court calls it ‘rarest of rare’ case
Special Public Prosecutor M. Sunil Kumar argued that the killings were among the rarest of rare cases, deserving the harshest punishment. Defence advocate Sebastian represented Hameed.
Accepting the prosecution’s case, the court sentenced Hameed to death, ruling that his age could not mitigate the cruelty of the crime.
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