2001 Aluva massacre
The Aluva massacre also locally known as Manjooran mass murder took place on 6 January 2001 in the city of Aluva in the state of Kerala, India. All the six family members, including an elderly woman and two children, of the Manjooran house in the city center were murdered. After many investigations, the local police came to the conclusion that Antony, who was a relative of the family and a regular visitor to their house, had committed the murder. The case was later handed over to the CBI, following the protest by the relatives of the victims. In February 2005, the CBI court sentenced Antony to death and in September 2006, the High Court also upheld the death sentence. However, in December 2018, Antony's death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.
Murder
On 6 January 2001, six members of the Manjooran house located at the railway station road in Aluva were murdered. Augustine, the owner of Manjooran Hardwares, which operated on railway station road, his wife Baby, children Jaymon and Divya, Augustine's mother Clara and sister Kochurani were the victims. Antony Manjooran, a distant relative and family friend of Augustine was the murderer. Antony was offered a job abroad and it required some money. On the night in question, Antony came home to ask for money. At this time only Kochurani and Clara were at home whereas Augustine, his wife and two children had gone to see a movie. Antony asked Kochurani for money and when he did not get it, he hacked her to death. Clara, who witnessed this, was also hacked to death. As Augustine Manjooran knew that he was visiting their home, Antony realised that he would get caught, so he hid at the home for the rest of the family to return. 47-year-old Augustine, his 42-year-old wife Baby, 14- and 12-year-old children Jaymon and Divya were then hacked to death by Antony after they returned home.Investigation, trial and verdict
Kerala Police
After the murder, the Aluva police station received a call around 11 pm on the next day after the murder. The police found an arrow sign drawn with blood on the wall close to the bodies of Augustine and Baby. Under the supervision of Ernakulam rural superintendent of police M Sethuraghavan, an investigation team consisting of 30 officers was formed. The team after many investigations found that Antony, who was August's relative and a regular visitor to their house was the murderer. Antony was a temporary driver in the municipality. He lived with his family at Aluva Syrian church road. Meanwhile, he got an opportunity to work abroad. Kochurani had promised money for this, but did not pay. The investigating officers concluded that the enmity related to this was the reason for the massacre. Then the crime branch, which conducted an investigation, also confirmed this.From the post-mortem report, it was understood that all were killed the previous night. From the questioning of the relatives and those in the vicinity, it became clear that Antony had committed the murder. On the night in question, Antony, who had gone to Mumbai from Aluva station, had entered Dammam. Police went to Mumbai and it was found that the gold ornaments worn by the victims were sold by Antony there.
Then the police looked for alternative ways. There is no agreement between India and Saudi Arabia to extradite criminals. The police put Jamma under surveillance to prevent him from talking to Antony Jamma.
The police came to Mumbai and met with Arun Memon, the owner of Cosmos Travel, who had taken Antony to Saudi Arabia. His wife had come to the office in Mumbai requesting him to be brought back, and that he would bear the expenses, the Saudi sponsor send Antony back home. Later, the police caught Antony at the SAHAR airport. The police team reached Karipur airport with Antony. Despite telling many lies, Anthony confessed to the crime when the police produced evidence.