Addicted to Orkut, more than one paramour; All you need to know about Karanavar murder case

There is no dearth of hair-raising crime stories in the vault of Kerala police. Bhaskara Karanavar murder truly earns a place on that list. After the cabinet meeting decided to release Sherin, the first accused in the murder that took place on November 7, 2009, the once-talked-about case is back against grabbing headlines.

Initially, it was thought of as a murder committed during a theft attempt. A more meticulous police investigation led to Karanavar’s daughter-in-law Sherin's shady role in the whole deal.

The questioning done after the final rites ceremony led to the real culprits in the case. During the interrogation on that day, daughter-in-law Sherin said that there was a sliding window on the top floor of the house through which one could enter the second floor. Police were sure that no robber would make it to the second floor without a ladder. Shockingly, the officials then found the ladder placed near the wall connecting the second floor. It was too early to call the shots as the ladder was covered in dust, not likely to be used by anyone recently.

Bhaskara Karanavar kept two dogs in his house. They did not bark on the night of the crime. This led to dubious assumptions. The chance of burglars breaking through the house, evading the dogs was nearly impossible.

Suspicious, the police checked Sherin's phone call list. It was found that 55 calls were made to one number that night. It was the number of Basit Ali, who is currently serving a life term for the case. Later on, it was found that the impression on the right thumb found on the handle of the cupboard in the accused's bedroom belonged to Basit Ali.

A silver ring that Basit gifted to Sherin was also found in the house. Tightening the investigation, the police soon found all the mainours used in the crime from another state. On the 89th day, the investigation team submitted the charge sheet after confirming the culprits.

Sherin, who hailed from a poor family was brought home as a daughter-in-law to secure the future of Binu Peter, the physically challenged youngest son of Karanavar. Karanavar also paid off all liability affecting Sherin’s family. Sherin was assured that the couple would be taken to America after marriage. The promise was kept as within one year after marriage, they went to the US. Things started going awry from there.

In the US, Sherin was caught stealing from a company where she worked. This led to her return to India along with Binu and her child. Rupture soon formed in her marriage life too. To find more comfort, Sherin started spending more time on the booming internet social media space and met Basit Ali through Orkut, a thriving platform of the bygone era. After getting a mobile phone, the relationship bolstered further. Many of her online friends started visiting her house and Basit was also among them.

Karanavar was taken aback by Sherin’s conduct and made his disapproval palpable. At one time, He wrote the will taking away Sherin from having any right to his property. Sherin soon started taking money for credit from neighbours and other friends which soon piled into a mass amount. Karanavar, despite loathing his daughter-in-law’s conduct, adopted an air of generosity and paid off all debts.

In a rage over not writing anything for her in the will, Sherin planned the murder along with Basit and his friend. The dogs were drugged during the night to avoid barking.

And now, after 14 years of serving a life sentence, Sherin is on her way out of jail.