In a significant verdict on Tuesday, the Supreme Court commuted the death sentence of Reji Kumar alias Reji, a man convicted of the gruesome murder of his wife and four children in 2008. The bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Karol, and Sandeep Mehta upheld the conviction but modified the sentence to imprisonment for life without the possibility of release, citing his demonstrated good conduct and mental health issues during his incarceration.
Reji Kumar was originally sentenced to death by the Kerala High Court for the brutal murders and for raping his 12-year-old daughter before killing her. The intent behind the murders was purportedly to start a new life with his lover. However, the Supreme Court’s judgment reflected a different perspective, taking into account several mitigating factors presented during the appeal.
The bench noted that Kumar had shown good behavior and had been proactive in prison reform activities over the last 16-17 years. “The convict-appellant had no prior antecedents and has demonstrated efforts at being a model prisoner, which includes dealing with his mental health issues and engaging in acts of charity within the prison system,” stated Justice Karol in the verdict.
Detailed psychological assessments and reports from probation officers highlighted Kumar’s severe mental distress and his coping mechanisms developed in response to a traumatic past. These factors, combined with the lack of prior criminal behavior, led the court to conclude that the death penalty was not warranted.
Despite the commutation, the justices were stern about the severity of the crime. “Considering the heinous nature of the crime, where four young lives were extinguished by their own father, the court finds that Kumar does not deserve freedom and will spend the remainder of his life in jail, reflecting on his actions and hopefully engaging in acts of penance,” the bench added.
The top court’s decision also took into account the aggravated circumstances of the case, including the premeditated nature of the murders and the lack of remorse shown by Kumar after each act. The bench agreed with the lower courts’ findings on the suspicious nature of Kumar’s conduct throughout the investigation and trial.
The case, which had also inspired a 2011 Malayalam film, drew significant media attention due to its brutal details and the tragic impact on the surviving family members. Reji Kumar’s lover, who had initially stood by him, severed ties and testified against him during the trial, further sealing his fate in the judicial system.
