A father who suspected his nurse wife of having an affair has been sentenced to a minimum of 40 years in jail for strangling her and their two young children just days before Christmas. Saju Chelavalel, 52, admitted to the murders and appeared at Northampton Crown Court for sentencing.
The court heard that on the night of December 14, Chelavalel became enraged when his wife, Anju Asok, 35, criticized his mother. At around 10 p.m., he strangled her with a dressing gown cord. Chelavalel then spent time with their two children, Jeeva Saju, six, and Janvi Saju, four, attempting to get them to take a sleeping drug. When his efforts failed, he strangled them using the same method.
Police body camera footage captured the moment officers broke into the family’s Kettering home on December 15 and discovered Chelavalel clutching a knife. Despite repeated pleas to drop the weapon, he continued to brandish it, demanding the officers shoot him. Eventually, the officers deployed a Taser to subdue him. Shortly afterward, they discovered the lifeless bodies of Anju Asok and their two children.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Chelavalel was convinced his wife was having affairs, claiming that evidence could be found on her phone, although no such evidence was discovered. The court also heard an audio recording from Chelavalel’s phone, in which the children can be heard crying and asking for their mother. Although they did not witness her death, they would have witnessed the argument leading up to the tragedy.
Worried neighbours contacted the police when they couldn’t reach anyone in the family by mid-morning. Chelavalel informed the police that he had planned to take his own life as well. Despite the efforts of paramedics and police, Anju Asok died at the scene, while the two children later passed away in the hospital.
The devastating impact of Chelavalel’s actions cannot be overstated. Anju Asok’s father, Arakkal Ashokan, who works in construction in India, expressed his disbelief and devastation upon learning of his daughter’s death and the loss of his grandchildren. An inquest revealed that the children had been strangled, while Anju Asok died of asphyxia.
Detective Inspector Simon Barnes described the case as “absolutely tragic” and emphasised the profound pain caused by Chelavalel’s actions. He expressed hope that Chelavalel would eventually comprehend the magnitude of his deeds.
