Youth found dead in quarters building on Kalabhavan Road, suspected to be murder

KOCHI: A youth was found dead inside a locked house in Kochi. The body of Abhijith (21), a native of Mulakulam in Kanjirappally, Kottayam, was discovered in a quarters building on Kalabhavan Road. His body showed injuries to the head. Police said they suspect it could be a case of murder.

The body was found in an old quarters building near the railway track, close to Lisie Hospital on Kalabhavan Road. The building, owned by the Ernakulam Diocese, was earlier used by hospital staff. Due to a lack of maintenance, it had remained abandoned for some time. The windows and doors were found open.

The body was discovered by Binoy Thomas, a hospital electrician who came to the building for electrical work on Saturday afternoon. Upon discovering the body, he informed the authorities. The body was found lying near the door of a room on the northern side of the house. Bloodstains were found inside the room. The man was wearing pants and a shirt. An inquest was conducted under the supervision of Ernakulam Central SHO Aneesh Joy. A card found on the body helped identify him as a native of Kanjirappally. His family is expected to reach Ernakulam tomorrow.

Stones and wooden planks were found near the body. Police said Abhijith had left home several days ago, and his family did not know his whereabouts. He reportedly used to leave home frequently. Five months ago, when he went missing, a case was registered based on a complaint by his family, and police had traced him and handed him over to them. He had recently left home again, saying he was going for work.

The body has been taken to Ernakulam General Hospital. The post-mortem will be conducted tomorrow at Kalamassery Medical College. Ernakulam Central Police have registered a case and begun an investigation.