Death sentence to man for killing elderly couple in Kerala

The case dates back to 2006 when one K Babu, killed 84-year-old Kumaranunni Nair, who retired from the Army as Honorary Lieutenant and his wife Anandavalli Amma (69) at their residence in Palakkad by fatally injuring them with a sharp-edged weapon, a CBI spokesperson said.

The Kerala High Court had transferred the probe from the Crime Branch to CBI in 2007, after the couple's son approached the court with a petition in this regard.

"The bodies were burnt using kerosene oil and coconut oil for destroying evidence. All possible clues were wiped out from the scene of crime which was treated with phenol and pepsi-entrin compound to purge-out the body smell of the accused," the CBI said.

Babu has been convicted under sections 302 (murder), 382 (theft after preparation made for causing death), 397 (robbery or dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) 392 (robbery) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence) of the Indian Penal Code and has been slapped with a fine of Rs 10,000.

CBI arrested Babu in 2009 and recovered the weapon of offence, 'Koduval' (billhook) and the stolen gold ornaments weighing 13 grams at his instance, the CBI said.