Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala 2025: Supreme Court Case

Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala 2025 case was in the spotlight due to the shocking nature of the crime involving the brutal and calculated murder of a mother and her four minor children by their own husband and father. The rare combination of betrayal, premeditation and the involvement of a minor rape allegation placed this case among the most heinous domestic crimes in recent memory. Discover more in-depth analyses of important Supreme Court decisions by exploring Recent Judgements of Supreme Court.

Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala 2025 Introduction

The case of Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala 2025 is a landmark judgment that revolves around the cold-blooded murder of a woman and her four minor children by her husband. Originating from an incident in 2008 in Kerala, the case drew national outrage due to the sheer brutality and betrayal involved. It later evolved into a significant judicial debate on capital punishment, reformation and sentencing proportionality.

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The case at hand centres around the gruesome and calculated murder of a woman and her four minor children by her husband, Reji Kumar in July 2008. The incident which shocked the conscience of the public and judiciary involves elements of betrayal, premeditation and moral depravity. The proceedings escalated before the Supreme Court following the confirmation of the death sentence by the Kerala High Court and the convict’s appeal challenging his conviction and sentencing. The following are the facts of Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala -

Background and Nature of the Crime

This is the second such case in a short span where a man, entrusted with the role of a husband and father, has allegedly violated all moral and familial responsibilities. The Prosecution accused Reji Kumar, Appellant, of brutally murdering his wife Lissy and their four children: a 12-year-old daughter, a 10-year-old son, a 9-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old daughter over a few days in July 2008.

Legal Proceedings Initiated

The appeals in Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala challenged the judgement of High Court of Kerala and order dated 12th November 2014 in:

• Death Reference No. 1/2010 (statutory confirmation of the death sentence)
• Criminal Appeal No. 1663 of 2010 (filed by the appellant against his conviction and sentencing by the Sessions Court, Palakkad in S.C. No. 114 of 2009).

Facts Established by Lower Courts

The Trial Court established the following facts that outlined the background, motive and circumstance leading to the crime. These findings were important in determining the guilt.

• Reji Kumar worked as an agricultural laborer for PW-1 Aboobacker Sidique, earning a monthly wage of Rs. 7,000.
• He lived in rented accommodation owned by PW-6 Rasheed.
• During his employment, Reji developed an extramarital relationship with PW-24 Baby alias Usha.

Disappearance and Discovery of Bodies

The sequence of events following the disappearance of the family unfolded gradually which raised suspicion among the neighbors and ultimately leading to the grim discovery of multiple deaths. These developments formed the base of the investigation:

• Lissy went missing on 9th July 2008.
• On 11th July, Reji took his son and 3rd daughter, claiming he would return with the whole family.
• When neighbors inquired, Reji avoided direct responses.
• On 20th July, Reji told PW-1 he was going to Kottayam to bring back his family.
• By 23rd July, neighbors became suspicious due to the locked house and absence of any family member.
• PW-1, PW-4 (his brother) and PW-6 broke into the house and discovered the dead bodies of the 1st and 2nd daughters.
• On 25th July, authorities recovered Lissy’s body from a septic tank while the son and 3rd daughter’s bodies were found in nearby fields, guided by the foul odor.
• Police registered an FIR at PS Pattambi, District Palakkad.
• Police arrested Reji Kumar on 27th July 2008.

Charges and Trial Proceedings

The final chargesheet which was filed on 23rd October, 2008 before the Judicial First Class Magistrate at Pattambi, included the following sections of Indian Penal Code :

• Section 302 – Murder
• Section 376 – Rape
• Section 297 – Trespassing on burial places, etc.
• Section 201 – Causing disappearance of evidence

The case was later committed to the Sessions Court where Reji was represented by a legal aid counsel.

Prosecution Evidence

The Prosecution in order to establish the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt relied on a wide range of oral and documentary evidence which are as follows:

• Examined 44 witnesses
• Produced 72 documentary exhibits
• Submitted 36 material objects

The Trial Court framed six important issues including:

• Whether Reji caused the deaths of Lissy and the four children?
• Whether he raped the 1st daughter?
• Whether he caused the disappearance of evidence?
• Whether he disrespected the dead bodies?
• Identification of specific offences committed?
• Appropriate sentencing?

Trial Court Findings and Sentencing

The Trial Court found that:

• The Appellant Reji Kumar committed the murders and tried to hide the evidence.
• The charge under Section 297 of Indian Penal Code could not be proven as he was acquitted of that count.

The Trial Court awarded the death penalty under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code and reasoned that:

• The extremely brutal and calculated nature of the crime
• His betrayal of familial trust especially as a father
• His educational background which suggests awareness of the consequences
• Rejection of the defense claim that the act was due to frustration, not criminal mindset

Additionally the Trial Court awarded the Appellant:

• 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 376 of Indian Penal Code
• 7 years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 201 IPC with fines
• All sentences were ordered to run concurrently

High Court's Confirmation

The High Court of Kerala upheld the conviction and death sentence awarded by the Trial Court and stated that:

• Reji showed no remorse and quickly expressed a desire to live with PW-24 after committing the murders.
• The crime was cold-blooded, premeditated and meticulously executed over two weeks.
• His education and earlier work as an advocate’s clerk negated any plea for leniency.
• The ‘crime test’ was satisfied but not the ‘criminal test’ (i.e., the potential for reform).

Thus, the High Court of Kerala confirmed the decision of the Trial Court under its powers under Section 368 r/w Section 366(1) of Criminal Procedure Code.

Appeal in Supreme Court

The matter was then brought before the Supreme Court through a statutory death sentence confirmation and an appeal by the convict, both challenging the findings and sentence of the lower courts.

The following issues were also addressed in Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala 2025:

• The Supreme Court examined whether the conviction of Reji Kumar for the murder of his wife and four children was justified based on the evidence presented by the prosecution?
• The Court analysed whether the death sentence awarded by the Trial Court and confirmed by the High Court was appropriate and proportionate to the nature of the crime?

• It also examined whether sufficient mitigating circumstances existed to warrant commutation of the death sentence to life imprisonment?
• Lastly, the Apex Court in Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala analysed whether the convict’s conduct during incarceration, lack of prior criminal record, psychological condition and efforts at rehabilitation should be given weight in sentencing?

Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala 2025 Legal Provisions

Section 302 and Section 376 of Indian Penal Code played an important role in Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala 2025. The following are analysis of these provisions:

• Section 302 of Indian Penal Code: Punishment for murder

Section 302 (Now Section 103 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023) deals with the punishment for murder. It states that whoever commits murder shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine. Section 302 of Indian Penal Code was the primary charge under which Reji Kumar was convicted for the brutal killings of his wife and four children.

• Section 376 of Indian Penal Code: Punishment for rape

Section 376 (Now Section 64 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023) prescribes punishment for committing rape. This section was invoked in Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala based on allegations that the convict had sexually assaulted his elder daughter before her death.

Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala 2025 Judgment and Impact

On 22nd April, 2025, the 3-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Sandeep Mehta commuted the death sentence of the Appellant Reji Kumar, who was convicted for murdering his wife and four children, to life imprisonment in Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala. The 3-Judge Bench held that awarding the death penalty would be unjustified in light of various mitigating factors

The Supreme Court observed that Reji Kumar had no prior criminal record, had maintained good conduct during his 16–17 years of incarceration and suffered from psychological distress stemming from past trauma. The Court also considered his consistent efforts to reform and contribute positively within the prison system.

The Supreme Court in Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala relied on the findings of the Probation Officer’s report, mitigating investigator's report and psychological assessment submitted in accordance with the principles laid down in Manoj v. State of Madhya Pradesh (2023). The Court cited its observations in Ramesh A. Naika v. Registrar General, High Court of Karnataka and emphasized that despite the heinous nature of the crime, the convict's efforts at reformation merited a reconsideration of his sentence.

On the account of commutation of the sentence, the Supreme Court directed that the Appellant Reji Kumar shall remain in prison for the rest of his natural life, underscoring the gravity of the crime, especially the murder of four of his own children.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court in Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala partly allowed the appeal, removed the convict from death row and substituted the sentence with life imprisonment till death.

Conclusion

In Reji Kumar Alias Reji vs State of Kerala 2025 the Supreme Court decision on 22nd April, 2025 to commute the death sentence to life imprisonment reflects a nuanced approach to justice, balancing the severity of the crime with the convict’s conduct, psychological health and potential for reform.