Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 5 The police team probing the murder of a 17-year-old boy, whose body was found stuffed in a sack and dumped in a vacant plot at Pangappara here, arrested a woman on Thursday for her alleged involvement in the conspiracy and for helping the accused evade arrest, officials said.
In the evening, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala visited Abhiram’s house and promised an impartial investigation into the case.
The arrested was identified as Aishwarya (21) of Aakkulam here.
Aishwarya is a close friend of Umar Mufthar (22), a native of Pangappara near Sreekaryam and the second accused in the case, police said.
According to officials, Mufthar had allegedly shared with her the plan to target Abhiram and another friend of the prime accused, who is a juvenile.
She was also allegedly aware of the accused persons’ plans to destroy evidence in the case.
Police said Mufthar, allegedly acting on Aishwarya’s instructions, had left his mobile phone at his residence before the murder to create the impression that he was at home when investigators examined his phone tower location.
She had also allegedly instructed Mufthar to avoid routes and places covered by CCTV cameras to prevent police from tracing his movements and suspecting his involvement in the murder.
Mufthar was allegedly the mastermind behind the murder, officials said.
Police said a decision on her arrest was made after a detailed interrogation and verification of the facts that emerged during questioning.
She was produced before the court and remanded in judicial custody, police added.
So far, three persons, including a 17-year-old boy, Mufthar and Anandha B A (18) of Manacaud, have been arrested in connection with the case.
Abhiram’s body was found on Monday, stuffed inside a sack and dumped among banana plants in an isolated plot at Pangappara near Sreekaryam.
His parents had approached the Sreekaryam police after he failed to return home.
According to police, a friend of Abhiram was allegedly in a relationship with a girl who was the former girlfriend of the minor who is the prime accused in the case.
Similarly, Abhiram’s friend had also sent messages to Anandha, who is currently in a relationship with the prime accused.
Police said the accused was agitated after photographs of Anandha were circulated among their circle of friends and suspected Abhiram and his friends of being behind it.
The accused persons, including the minor and Mufthar, allegedly used Anandha’s Instagram account to lure him to an isolated place at Pangappara by sending him messages.
Police said the intention was to use Abhiram to persuade his friend to come to Pangappara. However, after the attempt failed, the accused allegedly attacked Abhiram and strangled him using a belt.
The body was subsequently stuffed into a sack and abandoned at the isolated plot, police said.
Meanwhile, Minister Chennithala, after visiting Abhiram’s house, said he was saddened to see the grieving parents.
He said the family had requested steps to ensure that no such incident occurred in Keralam again.
Chennithala said the police had taken strong action from the beginning and would continue the investigation without any lapses.
Describing the murder as a heinous crime, he said it was a matter of serious concern that children were getting involved in such offences.
He also referred to the Cheranalloor car accident involving the 17-year-old son of an Additional District Sessions Judge, in which a scooterist was killed.
He said courts had released the child in conflict with law in accordance with the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act and its rules.
Chennithala said the government would consult legal experts on whether amendments to the law were required and take further steps accordingly.
He said Abhiram’s family had also sought the appointment of a public prosecutor of their choice.
The government would appoint the lawyer selected by the family, provided the lawyer consented to take up the case, he added.
(PTI News)
