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Kerala police detain four minors for murder of elderly man
Four minors, including a 13-year-old girl, have been taken into custody in connection with the murder of 65-year-old Sivankutty Chettiyar in Karuvatta, Alappuzha, Kerala. The victim was found dead in his rented home with his hands and legs tied with bedsheets; an autopsy confirmed he died of smothering.
Police investigation suggests the crime was planned by the granddaughter to facilitate a robbery. The motive appears to be the theft of gold and cash to fund the purchase of an iPhone for the girl and a motorcycle for her 17-year-old boyfriend and two other accomplices. The girl reportedly watched the execution of the crime via video call with her boyfriend.
Investigators also noted a potential revenge motive, as the girl had previously complained to her boyfriend that the victim had touched her inappropriately. The suspects, who traveled from Kollam to the scene, were apprehended after police identified inconsistencies in the girl’s statements and reviewed CCTV footage from a roadside eatery where the group had eaten following the crime.
Entities
Alappuzha · Karuvatta · Kerala · Kerala Police · Kollam · Sivankutty Chettiyar
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Three minors from Kollam allegedly carried out the killing.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The 13-year-old girl allegedly watched the murder via video call while it was occurring. www.news18.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A post-mortem examination confirmed the victim died of smothering. www.news18.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] A 13-year-old girl allegedly orchestrated the murder of her 67-year-old grandfather, Sivankutty, in Kerala. www.news18.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The motive for the murder was to steal gold ornaments to purchase an iPhone and motorcycles. www.news18.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The perpetrators allegedly scattered chilli powder in the house to obstruct the investigation.