Suspicion, toxic love and anger issues; Kerala in shock over 14-year-old girl's murder

MALAPPURAM: The brutal murder of a 14-year-old girl by a 16-year-old boy in Karuvarakundu shocked the entire conscience of the state. The police doubt a grudge in the relationship to have led to the murder. It is believed that the suspect was driven to murder by his suspicious nature and uncontrollable anger.

The family of the murdered girl was aware of the relationship between the two. The accused, who used to get rattled over not seeing the girl, also had a habit of visiting her house to check on her. The girl's family had filed a complaint with the police against him over harassment. The police had also warned the boy about the issue. The girl was in perpetual fear of his short temper.

On Thursday, the accused forcibly took the girl with him to school. When she failed to return in the evening, the family filed a complaint with the police. The police called the accused to enquire about the matter, but he replied that he had seen the girl at school and knew nothing else. As requested by the police, the boy and his father came to the station on Friday. During the detailed interrogation, he confessed to the crime.

On Thursday, the two reached Vaniyambalam by bus from Karuvarakundu via Pandikkad and Wandoor. From there, they walked along the railway track to a deserted place. The accused scolded the girl over suspicion of her getting close to another male student. Police said that during the verbal argument, the enraged boyfriend forcibly tied the girl's hands and strangled her to death.

After killing the girl, he went to a nearby house in Thodiyapulam on the pretext of drinking water. However, what he wanted was a phone to call his family. After the request, one of the members of the house gave him a phone to make a call. Police said the modus operandi of the murder was akin to that of skilled criminals. The police said that the accused did not have any hesitation or fear in his voice while describing how he committed the murder. Friends of the boy also admitted to his wavering behaviour and anger issues.