Anchal bike arson: Police seek custody of accused Aarathi Raj and Gayathri

KOLLAM: The Anchal police are set to move for the custody of two 26-year-old women arrested in connection with the arson of a police officer’s motorcycle. The suspects, identified as Aarathi Raj of Sooranad and Gayathri of Kattappana, allegedly set fire to a Royal Enfield Bullet belonging to Vivek, a Civil Police Officer attached to the Aranmula police station. According to law enforcement officials, the preliminary investigation points to a motive of revenge arising from a broken marriage alliance that ironically began through a mutual colleague.

The background of the relationship reveals how the two came to know each other. Initially, a marriage proposal had been under consideration between Aarathi and another policeman who worked alongside Vivek at the Adoor police camp. However, that alliance fell through when their horoscopes were found to be incompatible. Following the mismatch, the policeman friend passed Vivek’s details to one of Aarathi’s relatives, suggesting him as a suitable match. This introduction led to the formal engagement of Vivek and Aarathi six months ago. However, the relationship soured, and three months prior to the incident, Vivek backed out of the wedding after financially reimbursing Aarathi's family for the expenses incurred during the engagement ceremony.

Investigators have mapped out a detailed timeline of the subsequent criminal plot, backed by digital evidence. The two women, who are classmates at a competitive exam coaching centre in Thiruvananthapuram, left their hostel last Saturday afternoon. Police recovered CCTV footage showing the duo procuring petrol in a bottle from a fuel station in the capital city before boarding a bus to Anchal. After tracking the area until nightfall, the suspects allegedly entered Vivek’s residential premises around 1:00 AM on Sunday and set the vehicle ablaze. They then fled the scene on foot, later hailing an autorickshaw to Ayoor at dawn to board a return bus to their hostel.

During initial questioning, both suspects admitted to planting a letter at the crime scene. The letter was intentionally drafted to mislead investigators by deflecting blame onto activists of the Kerala Students Union (KSU). Police confirmed that Aarathi was the author of the note. The case took a dramatic turn post-arrest when Aarathi attempted suicide by consuming rat poison while being transported for a mandatory medical examination. She remains hospitalised under strict police guard at the Government Medical College Hospital, Parippally. The second accused, Gayathri, has been remanded to judicial custody. The police custody application, expected to be filed in court shortly, will facilitate a deeper interrogation. Investigators are currently probing whether Aarathi and Gayathri received local logistical support or assistance from external accomplices before or after executing the crime.