Not only Pappachan’s, Saritha embezzled money of seven more people, finally brutal murder; blue car turned vital

KOLLAM: Some crucial information has surfaced in the accidental death of BSNL retired assistant general manager C Pappachan at Ashramam, which turned out to be a murder. On suspicion, his daughter lodged a complaint with the police and this turned crucial in the case.

An investigation conducted revealed that the female bank manager had given a quotation with the help of her colleague to end the problems that arose due to the embezzlement of Pappachan's money. Saritha (45) staying in a rented house in Kollam Thevalli Kavil House, Anoop (37) of Maruthadi and an executive in the bank, Animon (44) of Polayathodu Animon Mansil who took the quotation, Maheen (47) of Kadappakada Puthen Veettil and their friend Hashif (27) of Salma Mansil of Polayathodu were arrested.

Pappachan died on May 23 around 12.30 pm. Animon, who was driving the car, was taken into custody but was released on bail by the station as it was considered an accidental death. The case unraveled after Pappachan’s daughter filed a complaint.

Saritha and Anoop embezzled about Rs 70 lakh of Pappachan, handed over to deposit in the bank. After Pappachan filed a complaint with the bank authorities, an internal audit found that Saritha and Anoop had defrauded seven more. The two were suspended and were directed to return the money to the investors.

The two were sure that they would not be able to return the money as Pappachan’s was a big amount. Pappachan once trusted them so much. He had shared all his family issues to them. He was not in good terms with his family and that turned fatal for him. The two thought that if Pappachan was eliminated, no one would come forward and that their problems would be solved. They later hatched a conspiracy to kill him. Gave the quotation to Animon. The two made him believe that the quotation was given by Pappachan’s son. On May 18, Saritha introduced Anoop to Animon as Pappachan’s son. The quotation was given for Rs 2 lakh and gave him an advance of Rs 50,000.

The accused knew the lifestyle of Pappachan. They found that Pappachan cycles through the ashram grounds regularly. They decided to commit the crime at this time. They first planned to kill him after hitting him with an auto. Animon sought the help of auto driver Maheen to commit the crime.

Animon and Maheen waited with the auto from May 20 to 22 in the Ashramam grounds, but Pappachan did not come. They later planned to knock him down with a car. Pappachan was constantly calling Saritha and Anoop for the money. Finally, Saritha asked Pappachan to come to Ashramam on May 23rd. At this time, Animon was in the car parked on the road. As soon as Pappachan reached near the car, he took the car forward, knocked him down and fled from the spot immediately. Maheen, who was waiting in the auto, gathered people and took Pappachan to the hospital. Pappachan died that night while undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

The car was found after checking more than 100 CCTV footages of the area. It was a blue car. The next investigation focused on the vehicle number. Animon, the fifth owner of the car, was detained and questioned as he was on the rowdy list. This was how the truth came to light. Animon and Maheen received Rs 16.5 lakhs from Saritha in the name of conducting the case and Hashif, who learned that the incident was a quotation, took Rs 3 lakh from Saritha.