Steephan Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod

Kasargod, Apr 16: A man who had been a key eyewitness to the brutal crimes of the notorious 1980s serial killer “Ripper Chandran” has been found dead inside his residence under suspicious circumstances.

The deceased has been identified as Balachandra (53), a resident near the Vamanjoor check post in Manjeshwar.

Concern arose after Balachandra failed to respond to phone calls for three consecutive days. His sister Shashikala, who lives in Mangaluru, arrived at the house on Wednesday evening, where she discovered him lying dead inside, bringing the incident to light.

Police from the Manjeshwar station rushed to the spot, conducted an inquest, and shifted the body to Kasaragod General Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Balachandra was working as an assistant priest. He had been a crucial witness in the horrific crimes committed by the notorious serial killer Ripper Chandran. He was just 13 years old at the time of the crime he witnessed in 1985.

In the shocking double-murder case, Chandran allegedly bludgeoned to death Balachandra’s father Narasappayya and a worker, Vishwanatha, inside their home after reportedly entering by removing roof tiles. Vishwanatha was killed while asleep in the verandah, while Narasappayya was fatally struck on the head.

The attacker also attempted to kill Balachandra’s mother, Indira, by striking her head severely, leaving her critically injured. She remained in a prolonged semi-conscious state before eventually recovering, though she passed away years later.

Balachandra, then aged 13, witnessed the entire sequence, while his sisters were aged 6 and 2.

His testimony later proved pivotal in the case, contributing to the conviction and imposition of the death penalty in the Vamanjoor double murder case.

The accused, linked to 14 murder cases, was also awarded multiple life sentences.

The death sentence in the Vamanjoor case was reportedly carried out on July 6, 1991, at Kannur Central Jail.