Son's Knife Obsession Culminated in Brutal Double Murder of Parents
In a harrowing case that shocked the West Midlands, Anmol Chana, then 25 years old, brutally murdered his own mother and stepfather before callously celebrating with sex workers and a trip to the pub. The tragedy unfolded in Oldbury, where Chana's long-standing fascination with knives escalated into a violent frenzy that claimed two lives.
A Disturbing History of Violence and Threats
Chana had developed a dangerous obsession with knives during his teenage years, a fixation that family members were acutely aware of. On multiple occasions, police were called to the home, where blades had to be securely locked away to prevent harm. His animosity towards his mother, Jasbir Kaur, 52, was chillingly evident in a 2017 text message where he declared, "Man, I want to knife her or pour boiling oil down her throat, (put) her head in a chip pan." Prosecuting barrister Jason Pitter QC later noted, "Tragically, he did one of those things."
Despite his disturbing behaviour, Jasbir and her husband, Rupinder Bassan, 51, sought to support their son, welcoming him into their home on February 22, 2020. They prepared a bedroom for him, hoping to provide care and stability. Just two days later, their kindness was met with unimaginable violence.
The Ferocious Attack and Gruesome Discovery
In the early hours of February 24, Chana's sister, Kiran Chana, grew concerned after being unable to contact her mother and alerted the police. Officers arrived at the property on February 25 and were immediately confronted with a bloody scene. Mr Pitter described the haunting findings at Birmingham Crown Court: "Drag marks leading to the bodies in the rear living room area...Both of them, we say, had been brutally murdered - stabbed multiple times with a knife in what must have been a ferocious attack."
Investigations revealed that Chana had stabbed his mother and stepfather more than 40 times in a prolonged and savage assault. He then dragged their bodies into another room, leaving them for days until police made the gruesome discovery. The attack was so violent that Rupinder suffered a bite on his thumb, likely from desperately trying to fend off his stepson.
Callous Aftermath and Flight Attempt
After the murders, Chana displayed a chilling disregard for his victims. He stole money from them, depositing it into his bank account, and fled the scene in Rupinder's Toyota Aygo. CCTV evidence showed he sought hospital treatment for the bite wound, further linking him to the crime. Remarkably, he then visited a pub, where he calmly played pool and drank, fully aware that his mother and stepfather lay dead at home.
Chana's actions extended beyond mere celebration; he made plans to escape justice by purchasing a plane ticket to Italy via Turkey. A reminder on his phone to buy another knife and to "rob a Lidl" indicated his intent to continue his crime spree. Fortunately, detectives tracked him down before he could act on these plans, arresting him on February 25 at his home in Smethwick, West Midlands. A search recovered the Toyota keys, his passport with travel details, and a blood-covered combat-style knife on his bed.
Trial, Sentencing, and Heartfelt Tributes
Despite denying murder, Chana was found guilty following a nine-day trial at Birmingham Crown Court. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of 36 years. Judge Mark Wall QC condemned his actions, stating, "You had a deep-seated animosity for your mother. Despite your behaviour towards her she always sought to help you. Mr Bassan was nothing but kind to you. After the killing, you did nothing to assist your victims."
In a moving tribute, the couple's daughter Kiran remembered her parents as "the most loving people I've ever known." She described her mother as a resilient woman who endured hardships to care for her family and her father as the perfect match who provided warmth and love. Kiran expressed her anguish, saying, "I am sad that their lives were ended so quickly, without a second thought, by a person whom they both loved dearly." She found solace only in the thought that her parents were now at peace together.
This case underscores the devastating impact of knife crime and family violence, leaving a community in mourning and a family shattered by betrayal.
