No One Else Involved in Karuvarakundu Murder; Girl Called Mother From Accused Boy's Phone

Malappuram District Police Chief (SP) R Viswanathan on Saturday stated that no one other than the 16-year-old boy currently in custody was involved in the murder of the Class 9 student at Thodiyapulam in Karuvarakundu. Addressing the media, the SP said the crime stemmed from disputes linked to a romantic relationship and that a detailed investigation is underway.

According to the police, on Thursday evening at around 6.00 pm, the girl had called her mother to say she would be home shortly. Investigators later found that the call was made using the mobile phone of the accused. The SP added that call records are being examined to trace the movements of both the victim and the accused on the day of the incident.

The victim, a native of Kalangavu in Karuvarakundu, went missing after leaving home for school on Thursday morning. The matter came to light after her mother filed a missing complaint with the police. This led to the questioning of the boy, a Plus One student and a close friend of the victim, who was later taken into custody.

The girl’s body was found at around 11.00 am on Friday from a bushy area near the railway track between Vaniyambalam and Thodiyapulam, in the Pullippadam area. During police questioning, the boy reportedly confessed to sexually assaulting the girl and then strangling her to death.

Police informed that multiple injuries were found on the victim’s body, and her hands were tied behind her back. Her school bag was also recovered from nearby.

Officials further revealed that the accused is a drug addict. While the district police chief has ruled out the involvement of others at this stage, investigators are continuing to probe whether anyone else may have assisted the accused in the crime.