Cadell Jeansen Raja brought to the Thiruvananthapuram Additional District and Sessions Court VI in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday (May 12, 2025)
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Thiruvananthapuram Additional District and Sessions Court VI in Kerala on Tuesday (May 13, 2025) awarded rigorous life imprisonment to 37-year-old Cadell Jeansen Raja for the brutal murders of his parents, sister and an aunt at Nanthancode in 2017.

Judge Vishnu K. had found the accused guilty under Section 302 (murder), Section 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with the intent to destroy house) and Section 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence) of the Indian Penal Code on Monday.

In addition to the life sentence, the court imposed a fine of ₹15 lakh. If recovered, the amount is to be paid as compensation to his uncle, Jose, the prime witness in the case.

The prosecution had sought the death penalty, arguing the case qualified as the “rarest of rare” due to its brutal nature and asserted the Cadell posed an ongoing threat to society, particularly to those who had testified against him. They contended that there was no hope for reformation.

The defence, however, appealed for leniency, citing Cadell’s age and mental health as mitigating factors.