Father charged with Murder of Two Children

Nithin Kumar, aged 40, was charged with the murder of his two children. The father appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on May 8, 2020.

Police were called to an address in Newbury Park, Ilford, at around 5:30 pm on April 26, 2020, to reports of a man and two children having been injured.

It was believed to have been a murder and attempted suicide.

Kumar reportedly “exploded” during lockdown and attacked his children above a shop after finishing his shift at work.

Neighbours recalled how his wife ran into the street screaming from the couple’s flat following the attack.

Reshna Begum, who lives across the road, said: “I heard a woman screaming ‘Help me’.

“It sounded like she was being tortured. I knew something horrible must have happened, it went on for about 10 minutes.”

Pavinya, aged 19 months, was pronounced dead at the scene while her three-year-old brother Nigish and her father were taken to hospital.

Nigish sadly died in hospital and Kumar was in critical condition. Police were in attendance.

He was arrested on April 29 at the hospital where he was receiving treatment. Kumar was discharged from hospital on Thursday and was charged the following day.

An inquest at Walthamstow Coroner’s Court heard that the two children were fatally wounded at their house.

East London area coroner Graeme Irvine was told by an official:

“On the 26 April 2020, Nigish was attacked by his father at the home address. His throat was cut.”

Coroner’s officer Jean Smyth stated that Nigish died in hospital at 7:42 pm on the same day he was rushed there.

She said: “A forensic post-mortem examination was carried out by Dr Nathaniel Cary on April 28 at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.

“The cause of death was given as… incised wound to the neck.”

She continued: “On April 26 Pavinya was attacked by her father at the home address. Her throat was cut and she died of her injuries at the scene. Life was pronounced extinct at 5:53 pm.”

Both children were identified by their mother Nisa.

Mr Irvine said: “I am satisfied in relation to both of these very, very sad deaths that an inquest is necessary.

“I am not going to fix a time for the inquest as I am aware there is an ongoing criminal investigation in relation to both of those deaths.

“It may well be that the criminal investigation will supersede the coroner’s investigation.”

After formally opening the inquests, Mr Irvine set a review date for November 30, 2020.

Kumar’s next appearance at court has not been scheduled yet.