KOLLAM: The voice of Anithakumari, one of a three-member family arrested for allegedly abducting a six-year-old girl from Pooyapally, will be scientifically tested. This is to ensure that it was Anithakumari who made the phone call demanding the ransom.

The investigation team has the audio recording of Anithakumari's call, from a hotel owner's mobile, to the mother of the abducted six-year-old girl and demanding a ransom of Rs 10 lakh. The voice test is to close the loophole to escape by saying that it is not her voice. The trio repeated what they said in the interrogation led by the ADGP yesterday, in front of the crime branch.

Padmakumar revealed that the kidnapping was planned to settle the debt and five children were targeted.

But only a six-year-old girl from Pooyapally was kidnapped. The investigation team is again looking for information after checking the contradictions in the statements of the three.

There is a conflict in the statements of Padmakumar and Anithakumari regarding the indebtedness. Details of transactions with financial institutions and private individuals have been sought but not fully obtained.

Evidence collection likely today

The first phase of evidence collection with the accused may be held today. This will be at places where the six-year-old girl was abducted, the routes taken, the house in Chathannoor where she was kept in hiding, the routes taken to leave the child, the Asramam ground where the girl was abandoned, Tenkasi and Puliyarai where they went to hide.