Superstition-triggered murders in Kerala reflect the fact that education does not eliminate ignorance.
Published Nov 29, 2024 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 29, 2024 | 9:00 AM
Mental instability, unfulfilled desires, fear of the unknown, feelings of helplessness, irresponsibility, insecurity, lack of safety, loss of control, and a sense of not belonging are prevalent among Indians.
“But God left free the will; for what obeys
Reason, is free; and Reason he made right…” — Paradise Lost, Book IX.
John Milton got the context correct in Kerala’s case. A state that boasts of giant, progressive strides made in the education sector often witnesses shocking and regressive incidents when superstition clouds reason and scientific temperament.
One such incident was the Nanthancode massacre in which an Australia-returned youth, Caddell Jeansen Raja, killed his parents, sister, and aunt at their house near Cliff House, the chief minister’s official residence in Thiruvananthapuram on 5 April 2017.
The quadruple murder case resurfaced in public discourse with a critical update two days ago. A case that once shook the conscience of the state, it exemplifies how even the educated and seemingly enlightened can fall into superstition’s dark abyss.
Deposing before a trial court in Thiruvananthapuram, Cyber Police Assistant Sub-Inspector Prasanth said Jeansen Raja had studied about slitting throats on his laptop before killing his father Prof Raja Thankam, 60, mother Dr Jean Padma, 58, sister Caroline, 26, and aunt Lalitha, 70, at their Baines Compound residence.
Jeansen Raja had initially told investigators that he committed the murders while experimenting with astral projection. He later changed his statement and stated a dispute as the motive.
A parapsychologist from Kerala told South First on condition of anonymity that astral projection is a spiritual practice where an individual’s consciousness is believed to separate from the physical body, enabling travel through what is referred to as the astral plane.
Astral projection can occur spontaneously or be intentionally induced, offering unique perspectives on consciousness, life, and death.
Despite its spiritual significance for some, there is no scientific evidence supporting the phenomenon. Additionally, it is often considered a challenging practice to master, leading skeptics to question its practicality unless pursued with a clear purpose in mind.
Medical experts testified that Jeansen Raja’s mental health was significantly compromised at the time of the crime, but law enforcement officers stated in the chargesheet that the murders were pre-planned.
Officer Prasanth said the accused practised on dummies before carrying out the heinous act.
Earlier, Jeansen Raja was lodged in a psychiatric facility and he was being held, pending the trial.
Although medical experts have a different perspective on Jeansen Raja’s mental health, police officers claimed that he did not have any mental health issues.
According to one of Jeansen Raja’s neighbors, his family was initially not interested in pursuing legal action. However, one of his uncles has been managing his legal affairs.
Testifying before the Sixth Additional Sessions Court, Prasanth also disclosed that Jeansen Raja had purchased weapons used in the crime via Flipkart.
“Caddell purchased two axes through his Flipkart account to slit throats. He showed us his Flipkart account, and we reviewed the order history, which indicated that everything he bought online was intended for the crime,” the officer told South First.
“He also bought three monitors. When we asked him about the purpose of the three monitors, he claimed that, as a game developer, he used them to display his new game to each victim one by one. He attacked them with the axe while they were beside the monitor. This way, there would be blood stains on each monitor, and he used a separate one for each victim.”
Prasanth further said that Dr Mohan Roy, a psychiatrist at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, confirmed that he was mentally sound. However, Jeansen Raja had consistently led a secretive and enigmatic private life.
The mysterious deaths of Arya B. Nair. 29, Naveen Thomas, 39, and his wife Devi, 39, in a hotel room in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, on 2 April 2024, are still under investigation.
The trio, who travelled from Kerala on 27 March, were initially believed to have embraced death due to their faith in superstitious ideas of rebirth and extraterrestrial life. Police had earlier reported that the three sought to end their lives, convinced they would be reborn on another planet with enhanced abilities.
Devi, who once taught German at a private school in the state capital, later transitioned as an Ayurvedic doctor, leaving her teaching profession behind. Arya, a French teacher at the same school, remained dedicated to her language instruction. Thomas was an online trader.
Investigators discovered that Arya had received emails routed through proxy servers in 2021. These emails contained cryptic messages, primarily discussing the existence of life on other planets.
When South First contacted the Vattiyoorkkavu police, SHO Ajesh stated “Only a missing case was registered here, and it was closed once they were found dead. We are in regular contact with the Arunachal Pradesh police, who provide updates on the investigation. The deceased’s mobile phones have been sent for forensic examination, and the results will be crucial in this case.”
The Superintendent of Ziro Police in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Subansiri district, Keni Bagra, said the case was being considered as one of unnatural deaths.
“It is being treated as an unnatural death case. We have conducted a thorough investigation and submitted the report to the court,” he told South First.
“During the process, we received several crucial inputs from the Kerala Police. In Arunachal, there were no activities observed that could be directly linked to superstitious beliefs. Forensic evidence remains critical,” he added.
Dr. Sany Varghese, President of the Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (Kerala Region), told South First that superstitious beliefs were rooted in ignorance. “Being educated doesn’t necessarily eliminate ignorance,” she explained.
She pointed out that factors such as mental instability, unfulfilled desires, fear of the unknown, feelings of helplessness, irresponsibility, insecurity, lack of safety, loss of control, and a sense of not belonging were prevalent among Indians.
Psychotherapy could uncover specific reasons behind these beliefs and practices, as well as the circumstances that might lead individuals to commit crimes or suicide.
Kerala has witnessed several chilling murders tied to superstitious beliefs and rituals.
In 1981, Mohan killed his lover, Sophia, believing human sacrifice would bring him immense wealth. Two years later, a father and sister in Karunagappally performed a deadly ritual to exorcise a ghost and find treasure.
In 2014, Haseena was kicked to death by a sorcerer in the belief that it would remove a ghost. The 2018 Idukki murders of Krishnan’s family, initially thought to be a robbery, were later discovered to be part of witchcraft practices.
In 2019, Thushara was tortured to death by her husband and mother-in-law, following the instructions of a black magician.
The shocking 2022 Elanthoor human sacrifice case revealed the deaths of Rosli and Padma. They were sacrificed under the delusion that the act would bring prosperity. Reportedly, the case also involved cannibalism.
These tragic incidents expose the dangerous consequences of superstition, where ignorance and blind faith override reason and humanity.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
