THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A crucial breakthrough emerged in the murder of a 17-year-old in the capital city. According to statements, the motive for the murder was a relationship between the victim’s (Abhiram’s) friend and the former girlfriend of the 17-year-old accused. The girl is also an accused in the case, while police confirmed she is not a minor. The third accused is Anantha, a resident of Manacaud and an 18-year-old ITI student.
The accused's former girlfriend sent photographs to him on Instagram. The accused told the police that this prompted the decision to kill Abhiram’s friend. The victim, 17-year-old Abhiram, is the son of Madhu—an auto-rickshaw driver—and Dharmaja, residents of Netaji Lane, Sangeetha Nagar, Pangappara, Sreekaryam.
The gang initially targeted the friend of Abhiram. Though they summoned him to come and meet them, he sensed danger and did not show up. Subsequently, a plan was devised to lure him using Abhiram. According to the statement given by the 17-year-old, an argument ensued after Abhiram showed up, which led to the murder. The arrests of the 17-year-old, the second accused—22-year-old Umar Mukhtar—and the third accused, Anantha, have been recorded.
The 17-year-old accused had a romantic relationship which ended on a bitter note. He then started dating Abhiram’s former girlfriend. However, the accused’s former girlfriend started dating Abhiram’s friend, and in a bid to settle personal scores, she sent photos of her new romantic partner to the accused. This irked the 17-year-old, who decided to seek revenge.
To work out the devious plan effectively, the accused used Abhiram’s former girlfriend’s help to lure him. They chatted through Instagram and faked feelings to seem it look like reestablishing the relationship.