Alappuzha, August 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A 13-year-old girl allegedly masterminded the murder of her 65-year-old male relative in Karuvatta near Alappuzha, with police alleging that three minor boys helped execute the crime in a suspected bid to steal gold and cash to fund their desire for expensive gadgets and motorcycles.
The girl, who was related to the deceased and had been staying with him at the rented house, and the three boys have been taken into police custody. Police have not disclosed their identities as all four are minors.
The case came to light after the body of Sivankutty Chettiar, 65, was found at his rented house in an isolated area of Karuvatta under Haripad Block Panchayat limits. Police suspect that the murder took place on Saturday night, when Chettiar’s wife and daughter had gone to a hospital for childbirth, leaving him alone.
Investigators suspect the girl selected the timing of the attack and guided the boys, who had travelled from Kollam, to the house. The teenagers reportedly arrived after 9 p.m. and allegedly left their mobile phones behind to avoid detection.
Police became suspicious of the girl after she was found at the house on Monday morning. Despite the bloodstained surroundings, she reportedly insisted that she needed to attend school for an examination. Her behaviour prompted investigators to question her intensively.
Police said she eventually admitted that the murder had allegedly been carried out on her instructions.
According to the investigation, the victim’s hands and legs were tied behind him with bedsheets and other cloth before another cloth was tightened around his neck, resulting in his death. The attackers allegedly broke open a bedroom cupboard and fled with gold ornaments and cash.
Police suspect the crime may have been motivated by both an earlier grievance against the victim and the teenagers’ desire for money and valuables. Investigators said the group allegedly wanted to buy an expensive iPhone for the girl and luxury motorcycles for the boys.
The teenagers also allegedly scattered chilli powder on the floor and near the doors to mislead investigators. Police are examining a further allegation that footage of the crime was shown to the girl on a mobile phone.
Investigators are probing whether drugs, including suspected MDMA use, played a role and whether a wider drug network influenced the teenagers.
The family had lived in the rented house for around three years and maintained limited contact with neighbours. The girl was familiar with the other teenagers, whom she had reportedly met while staying with relatives in Kollam.
The body was shifted from Haripad Taluk Hospital to Alappuzha Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination. The four minors will be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board after completion of the required procedures.
The investigation is continuing into the planning of the murder, the recovery of the stolen valuables and the possibility of involvement of other persons.
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