Keralite husband admits murdering wife and two children in Kettering: to be sentenced on July 3

By A Staff Reporter

LONDON April 5: Saju Chelevalan, the suspect in the triple murder of his wife and two children at Kettering in Northamptonshire on December 15, 2022, has pleaded guilty.

The 52-year-old Kannur-native pleaded guilty to the murders during a hearing at the Northampton Crown Court in eastern England on Wednesday. He will be sentenced by the same court on July 3.

Speaking through an interpreter, Saju Chelavalel wearing a grey sweatshirt spoke to confirm his name and then pleaded guilty to each charge put to him by the court. After pleading guilty to the murder of his wife Anju Asok, 35, son Jeeva Saju, six, and four-year-old daughter Janvi Saju, Chelavalel sobbed into his hands. He said: “I don’t know what happened but I’m guilty.”

Adjourning the case until 3 July, Judge David Herbert KC said: “There can only be one sentence in law, namely a life sentence, but the judge dealing with your case on that day will have to set the appropriate minimum term.”

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Simon Barnes, said: “This was an absolutely tragic case and there are no words to articulate the devastation Saju Chelavalel caused when he chose to end the lives of Anju, Jeeva and Janvi.

“I am pleased that he has pleaded guilty and spared Anju’s family and friends the pain of a trial. He will have to live with what he has done forever and I hope one day, he truly comprehends the pain his actions have caused.

“Anju Asok will be remembered as so much more than this man’s victim. She was a dedicated nurse, loving mother, and loyal friend. My thoughts remain with her loved-ones and will continue to do so long into the future.

“Finally, I would like to thank my colleagues in the East Midlands Special Operations Unit and everyone at Northamptonshire Police that was involved in this case – from the officers who first attended the scene and began CPR, to forensics, CID and everyone in between. This was a case that affected many people and it was through sheer dedication and professionalism that Chelavalel has been brought to justice so quickly.”

On Thursday, March 16, DI Barnes, the case’s family liaison officer – DC Mark Allbright, and the family’s representative – Manoj Matthew, attended Kettering Park Infant Academy for a remembrance ceremony.

All of the children in Janvi and Jeeva’s classes were given a balloon – either pink, blue or silver, to represent Janvi, Jeeva and Anju.

The children gathered outside and were joined by the rest of the school whilst “Somewhere over the rainbow” played. The balloons were then released as Nick Grey (Safeguarding Governor for the school and also Northamptonshire Police’s Force Crime Registrar) explained the symbolism to the children.

A poem was read and a minute’s silence was held. The children then filed back into the school past two new memorial benches.

DI Barnes added: “It was an honour to be invited to this ceremony and join the children in remembering Anju and their two classmates – Jeeva and Janvi. We were privileged to be shown their classrooms and spend some time with their teachers.

“We were handed a beautiful remembrance book, full of pictures and messages from the children’s classmates and all of the staff. This is now with the family in India.

“Whilst my team and I have a professional job to do, we are not immune to the personal impact such tragedies cause. The school did the family proud in what was a very touching tribute. All three were much-loved and will be missed by everyone.”