Abhiram murder: personal enmity behind the crime, says prime accused

The prime accused, a 17-year-old boy, in the murder of Abhiram in Pangappara has maintained that personal enmity was the motive behind the crime.

The juvenile, who was taken into police custody for evidence collection, reportedly told the investigators that Abhiram’s friend was in a relationship with his former girlfriend, and that he resented the circulation of their photographs and videos on social media.

He allegedly intended to kill both Abhiram and his friend. For this, he allegedly planned to use Abhiram to bring the latter to the isolated location where the crime had taken place.

The confession apparently coincided with the emergence of CCTV footage showing scenes prior to the murder, in which Abhiram is seen accompanying the prime accused along a pathway near the crime scene. The duo reportedly appeared to be walking together in a friendly manner.

Police sources indicated that Abhiram may have been lured to the isolated area under the pretext of having a conversation.

During evidence collection and questioning at the crime scene, the prime accused purportedly confessed to taking Abhiram to the secluded area. He also claimed that the second accused, Umar, had arrived at the location later.

However, the police have not yet established whether Umar was present during the murder. The investigators are also examining the possibility that the two accused persons may have jointly planned the crime and that the prime accused is presently attempting to take sole responsibility.

Notably, the police are yet to recover the mobile phone belonging to the deceased and the accused. The prime accused reportedly claimed that the phones had been discarded in a nearby canal. A belt that was allegedly used for the murder is also yet to be found.