Mannar murder case: Police suspect husband secretly removed body from septic tank

Alappuzha: The team probing the Mannar murder case suspects that Kala’s husband and prime accused Anil initially dumped her body in the septic tank with the help of his accomplices but later secretly removed it without their knowledge. This suspicion can only be confirmed when Anil, who is currently in Israel, is brought back home for questioning.

Anil’s friends had helped him dispose of Kala’s body in the septic tank of his house at Kannampalli in Eramathoor. Items like a locket, hair clip and elastic made from a piece of clothing were found in the tank but no human remains were found.

Meanwhile, the police on Wednesday questioned a resident of Kuttamperur in connection with the case. He is a friend of the deceased Kala and is reported to have confessed to having an intimate relationship with her. The police believe that this relationship caused a rift between Kala and her husband Anil.

After Kala went missing, rumours had spread in the village that she had fled to Palakkad with another man. It is not clear who started these rumours, but Kala’s relatives also believed them and did not investigate further.

Breakthrough from anonymous letter

An anonymous letter received by the police three months ago has proved to be crucial in the case. One of the accused, K.C. Pramod, threatened his wife during a quarrel, saying, “I will kill you just like Kala,” which led to the murder being revealed after 15 years. Following this, the police received a crucial anonymous letter related to the case. The suspects were nabbed based on the investigation focused on the details given in the letter.

Pramod was earlier also accused of trying to kill his wife and children with explosives and petrol. Following the incident, he was taken into custody on March 24.

The letter, sent from the Mannar post office to the Ambalapuzha police, contained information about the people involved in Kala’s murder. During the police investigation, the suspects confessed to the crime.

The suspects were questioned; Forensic evidence recovered

Anil’s father Thankachan, mother Maniyamma and his current wife Shubha were also questioned by the police for about an hour. The questioning took place in a closed room in Anil’s house. Information was also gathered from panchayat member Pushpa Sasikumar. The panchayat member told the police that the incident took place in her ward and she knew the accused. However, she came to know about the murder only recently.

Forensic officials from Alappuzha also conducted investigations on Wednesday. Inspections were conducted around the septic tank in Anil’s house. Based on the accused’s statement that Kala was murdered and her body was kept in the tank, the tank was first opened and examined. District police chief Chaitra Teresa John said evidence was found from the tank.