Girl gave quotation to kill granddad in Haripad; Planned to buy iPhone, bike with stolen gold

HARIPAD: More information emerged in the murder of a man, found with his hands and legs tied together and a rope around his neck, was alone at his house in Karuvatta. The dead is Sivankutty Chettiyar (65) of Karuvatta ninth ward. Four including the dead’s granddaughter, a 13-year-old girl, have been taken into custody.

Police suspect the murder was committed following a theft. The four suspects were taken into custody after police suspected that a gang of teenagers, including the girl, was behind the murder. The other three arrested are natives of Paravur in Kollam. They are aged 17.

Police said the accused via a video call showed the girl, the crime being committed. The girl knew that six sovereigns of gold were in the cupboard of the house. Police said the gang planned to sell the gold and use the money to buy an iPhone and a bike for the boys.

Sivankutty lived in the house with his wife, daughter and granddaughter. His daughter was pregnant and was admitted at Vandanam Medical College Hospital for delivery. His wife was with her. Only Sivankutty and his granddaughter were at home, but the girl was not there when the murder was committed. The accused, who reached the place Sunday night, entered the house through the ventilation of the toilet.

Sivankutty's hands and legs were found tied together, and there were strangulation marks on his neck. His body was found on Monday morning. Reports say that the girl tried to mislead the police after the body was found. Chilli powder was found strewn on Sivankutty's body, inside the house and in the cupboard. Police believe that the accused had taken the chilli powder from the kitchen.

When police arrived at the house, household items were found scattered around. The cupboards were found opened. Sivankutty's hands and legs were found tied with a cloth. The house is located in an isolated area. Since construction of another building was underway in front of the house, people would not easily attract attention. After reaching the house, the police dog initially ran towards the newly constructed building. Following this, police also investigated possible links to the construction site.

Sivankutty is a native of Paravur in Kollam. The family had moved to Karuvatta two years ago. They had purchased land next to their rented house and were constructing homes for their two daughters. Sivankutty has three children, one son had died earlier and another daughter, Sasikala is abroad.