Granite slab stolen from cemetery grave, later found atop another grave; three held

MALLAPPALLY: In an unusual cemetery theft, a granite slab worth around Rs 15,000 was stolen from a grave at St Thomas Mar Thoma Church cemetery in Noorommavu, Anicadu, only to be installed later on another grave. Keezhvaipur police have arrested three people in connection with the September 15 incident — Surjith Barman, a native of West Bengal; Sujith K.C. of Padimon Kudappanaykkal House; and G. Jalal Sundar Singh of Chakkalayil, Mathicode, Kanyakumari.

The black granite slab had been placed on the grave of Annamma Varghese of Kannaplakkal House. According to police, the accused, who were involved in constructing graves, allegedly stole the slab and later used it on another grave. The arrests followed a complaint from Annamma's relatives, after which police focused their investigation on people involved in grave construction.

The investigation was conducted by a team led by Keezhvaipur Circle Inspector A. Suresh Kumar, along with Senior Civil Police Officer Santhosh and Civil Police Officers Vishnu, Amal, Shabarish, Jayakrishnan and Muhammad Anas. Police are also investigating similar thefts reported from two cemeteries in Mallappally in July, where granite slabs were stolen from the Mankuzhippady Sehion Mar Thoma Church and Mallappally Mar Thoma Church.