Sudha Baby was brutally assaulted; Shaji got provoked when victim threatened to disrupt his family life

KOCHI: Police said the murder of Sudha Baby, a native of Chingavanam, was not premeditated. Shaji, a High Court employee and the accused in the case, told police that he carried out the murder after being provoked during a heated argument. Police stated that the victim died after being subjected to a brutal assault. Evidence collection was carried out with the accused as part of the investigation.

According to the police, Shaji and Sudha had known each other for a long time. During a verbal dispute, he allegedly punched her repeatedly in the face and eyes. In the course of the assault, her head reportedly struck a stone, causing bleeding. When Sudha began to cry, the accused allegedly covered her mouth, after which she fell unconscious. In his statement, Shaji claimed he was provoked after Sudha allegedly threatened to inform his family about their relationship and disrupt his family life.

Police said that Sudha had earlier made suicide threats, and after her death, the accused allegedly attempted to stage the incident as a suicide. As part of this, he dumped the body on a railway track. However, he was not aware that the track was not in use. During this period, Sudha’s sister reportedly called Shaji several times, and he allegedly told her that Sudha had left, saying she was going to commit suicide.

Investigators said CCTV footage was crucial in identifying the accused after the body was found. The visuals showed Sudha and Shaji walking together, and later Shaji returning alone. Bloodstains noticed on his body further raised suspicion. The victim was identified after police examined a mobile phone found near the body.

The body was first spotted by the loco pilot of the Amrita Express train that passed through the area early Tuesday morning. He immediately alerted the authorities. A preliminary examination by the Maradu Police confirmed that the death was not caused by a train accident. The accused was taken into custody within hours.