Relentless pursuit of gold led to Subhadra's murder, Trapping the accused

ALAPPUZHA: The main accused, Sharmila and Mathews, were determined to obtain gold, even if it meant killing Subhadra. In 2016, Subhadra met Sharmila at the Ernakulathappan temple, after which Sharmila helped her find a job and accommodation in Ernakulam. In 2020, Sharmila married Mathews.

The accused had plotted to kill Subhadra, spending two months in Ernakulam targeting her gold jewellery. When their attempts to steal the jewellery failed, they brought Subhadra to their house in Kalavoor and executed their plan. According to the conspiracy devised by Mathews, Sharmila and Reynold, Subhadra was lured to the house.

From August 4, Reynold administered sleeping pills to Subhadra, rendering her unconscious so that they could steal her gold jewellery. The pills used were originally prescribed to Reynold's son for depression. On August 7, Subhadra noticed her missing jewellery and threatened to report the theft to the police. In response, the accused killed her. Six sovereigns of gold were stolen, though it was later revealed that the necklace Subhadra wore was made of rolled gold, not pure gold.

Timeline of events

August 4: Subhadra was brought to the Kalavoor house.

August 4–6: Subhadra was given narcotic pills and her gold jewellery was stripped away.

August 7: The accused pushed Subhadra off the bed and tied a shawl around her neck. They then kicked her in the chest and pelvis, killing her.

Later on August 7: Under the guise of covering garbage, they dug a pit. That night, they buried her body.

August 8: A mason covered the pit with plywood and cement, pretending it was for bathroom work.

August 10: The Kadavanthra police summoned Sharmila regarding Subhadra's disappearance. Sharmila and Mathews fled Kalavoor that same day.

September 7: Mannancherry police began investigating after focusing on Sharmila.

September 9: Cadaver dog Maya indicated the presence of a body under the ground.

September 10: Subhadra's body was discovered, and Sharmila and Mathews fled to Udupi.

September 12: The couple was arrested from a friend's house in Manipal, while Reynold was arrested in Kalavoor.

September 13: The arrests of all three accused were officially recorded.

District Police Chief MP Mohanachandran confirmed the sequence of events, noting that meticulous planning led to the crime.