Abhiram murder case: three arrested, fourth person taken into custody as police unravel circumstances behind crime

The Thiruvananthapuram City police probing the murder of 17-year-old Sreekaryam resident Abhiram have gathered crucial findings that strengthened the possibility of the crime being part of a premeditated plan involving multiple people.

According to statements reportedly given by the accused during interrogation, the original target of the attack was allegedly a friend of Abhiram, who had been in a relationship with a girl known to the accused. However, the plan reportedly took a deadly turn when Abhiram refused to bring the friend to the location in Pangappara where the accused had assembled. The refusal allegedly triggered an argument that culminated in his brutal murder, official sources said.

The 17-year-old prime accused was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board and placed in an Observation Home until November 10, subject to further orders. The Sreekaryam police recorded the arrests of the second accused, Umar Muqthar S., 21, of Kallampally, and the third accused, identified as Ananda, 18, of Manacaud.

Umar is a Rowdy History-Sheeter attached to the Sreekaryam police station. He had been detained preventively under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) and was released from preventive detention on September 1.

Meanwhile, a fourth person, identified as Akkulam native Aishwarya, reportedly a friend of Umar, has also been taken into police custody for questioning. The investigators are examining whether she had prior knowledge of the crime or any role in the alleged conspiracy.

Given the seriousness of the crime and indications of the involvement of multiple persons, District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram City) Arul R.B. Krishna has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a comprehensive investigation.

The reported statements of the accused indicate that Abhiram was subjected to a brutal assault before being killed. He was reportedly beaten severely, with visible injuries subsequently noticed on his face and body.

The accused have reportedly stated that one of them strangled Abhiram to death. The exact cause and manner of death are subject to confirmation through post-mortem examination and forensic findings.

After realising that he had died, the accused allegedly covered part of the body before leaving the scene and returning to their respective houses.

According to Dr. Krishna, the breakthrough came when information provided by the minor during interrogation led the investigation team to the location where Abhiram’s body had been concealed at Pangappara.

The police have altered the legal provisions of the case to include Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, relating to murder, along with other applicable provisions. The senior officer added that the continuous examination of digital communications, scrutiny of CCTV footage, analysis of technical evidence and interrogation of individuals connected to the incident helped obtain crucial leads.

However, Abhiram’s family alleged negligence on the part of the police in tracing the teenager during the initial hours after they had filed a complaint. The victim’s father, Madhu Kumar, alleged that the prime accused had been taken into police custody on the day of the incident, but was subsequently purportedly released without proper interrogation.

He claimed the accused was summoned again the following morning and questioned in detail, following which he disclosed details of the murder and the location where Abhiram’s body had been concealed.