A 67-year-old man was found dead at his residence in Kerala, with his hands and legs restrained and a cloth placed around his neck. Initially, authorities suspected the incident to be a robbery, as the victim’s gold chain and other valuables were reported missing. However, investigations led to a startling revelation that the primary suspect was a 13-year-old girl, a close relative of the victim, identified as Sivankutty Chettiyar.

The murder occurred on Saturday in Alappuzha. As police commenced their inquiry, they questioned family members, including the young girl. Her inconsistent statements raised immediate suspicion among investigators.

Upon further interrogation, police discovered that the girl had allegedly orchestrated the plot with her 17-year-old boyfriend, a Plus Two student. Their intent was reported to steal the victim’s jewellery to fund an iPhone and a bike for the boyfriend and his two companions, who played a role in the crime.

Investigation Uncovers Chilling Motive

According to police reports, the girl allegedly shared her knowledge of the gold stored in the house with her boyfriend, leading to the fatal encounter. She claimed to harbour resentment towards the victim for reportedly touching her inappropriately; however, law enforcement believes that the principal motive was theft, with the inappropriate conduct allegations under separate scrutiny.

Police spokesperson Vishnu Pradeep shared that the boyfriend and his associates arrived at the victim’s home at the girl’s instigation, with the intent to steal valuables. The victim was alone at the time, with his wife and daughter absent. The assailants accessed the house through a narrow passage near a rear ventilator.

Once inside, a struggle ensued, during which the victim was overpowered, subsequently immobilised, and the cause of death was later determined to be suffocation, as per the autopsy findings. After executing the crime, the boyfriend allegedly conducted a video call with the girl, showing her the deceased before searching the house for the stolen items.

Planned Execution of the Crime

Investigating officers reported that the girl guided her accomplices in locating the stolen items, which indicates a degree of premeditation in the crime. This planning may have been influenced by portrayals in films, as suggested by the authorities. Following the murder, they allegedly spread chilli powder around the scene. This was reportedly an attempt to mislead police dogs and leave no forensic evidence.

Authorities later discovered that the girl had sold part of the stolen gold, weighing 4.5 sovereigns, for Rs 16,000 in the nearby Kollam district. The gold was recovered by police after their investigation. The planning of the robbery, according to police, had apparently been in progress for an extended period.

Due to the severity of the crime, law enforcement officials indicated that they would consider prosecuting the boys, aged 16 and 17, as adults, as allowed under current laws. All juvenile suspects were detained on Tuesday following thorough questioning, while the investigation continues into the broader circumstances surrounding the incident.

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