A 65-year-old man was reportedly discovered dead in a rented house in Karuvatta, located in Kerala’s Alappuzha district, his hands and legs bound behind him, in what police believe was a murder allegedly orchestrated by his 13-year-old granddaughter.
Police say the girl allegedly enlisted her friends to murder her grandfather, identified as Sivankutty, a resident of Kollam district. Investigators believe the teenagers may have filmed the killing and later showed the video to the girl, who was living separately from her grandfather at the time. She is currently in custody, and authorities are verifying her statements, The Indian Express reported.
Police initially suspected a planned robbery after finding that the bedroom cupboard had been broken open and gold ornaments and cash were missing. Six sovereigns of gold were allegedly stolen from the house. The investigation later turned towards the family, with police reportedly getting a breakthrough while examining phone records.
According to The New Indian Express, Sivankutty’s wrists and ankles were bound behind his back with bedsheets and other household items. Police believe he was strangled, and chilli powder was discovered scattered near the location.
iPhone for self, bike for boyfriend
Police stated that the girl had allegedly planned to purchase an iPhone for herself and a motorcycle for her boyfriend. Investigators also suspect she harbored resentment toward Sivankutty, who had repeatedly reprimanded her for excessive phone use and for coming home late, according to the report.
The girl had become friends with the other teenagers while studying in Kollam, and police suspect they committed the murder after she learned that her grandfather was alone at home. Investigators are also looking into whether the stolen cash and valuables were meant to finance the planned purchases. Two houses were being built near the rented residence intended for Sivankutty’s daughters.
For the past few days, Sivankutty had been living alone in the rented house because his wife was in the hospital with their daughter, who had been admitted for a scheduled delivery. His other daughter, Sasikala, is currently overseas.
Reports indicate that his body is currently at Haripad Taluk Hospital, and a postmortem examination is scheduled to be carried out at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital. The investigation remains ongoing, with police cross-checking the girl’s statements along with other evidence collected in the case.
(With inputs from PTI)