Kerala Double Murder Case: Shocking Details Emerge
Tragic Events in a Small Village
In the quaint village of Pachadi, located in Idukki district, 54-year-old Reji Ponnuttil lived with his 43-year-old brother, Saji Ponnuttil, and their 71-year-old ailing mother, Mary. Following the mysterious disappearance of their father, Mathew, in 2018, Reji had taken on most of the family's responsibilities. However, a local auto-rickshaw driver noticed a sudden change earlier this month when Saji began performing tasks that were typically handled by Reji.
Discovery of the Bodies
The auto-rickshaw driver observed that Reji had not been seen since the first week of April. Concerned, he informed a relative of Reji, which eventually led to police involvement. On Monday, authorities searching Reji's home discovered the decomposed bodies of Reji and Mary buried in a cow dung pit in the backyard. The following day, Saji was arrested on suspicion of murder, and investigators are now looking into whether he had any role in his father's disappearance eight years ago.
Family Dispute Over Land
According to SP Sabu Mathew, there was a dispute between the brothers regarding the division of one acre of land. Saji believed that Reji was obstructing his plans to marry. Additionally, Saji was reportedly upset with Reji for allegedly mocking him and questioning his intentions regarding parenthood. Local residents noted that both brothers were unmarried, with Saji planning to marry soon.
Timeline of the Murders
The police believe the murders occurred in the first week of April, although the exact date remains unclear. Local political workers campaigning for the Kerala assembly elections had seen Mary and Reji, but on April 9, the day of voting, only Saji appeared at the polling station.
Alcohol-Fueled Violence
On the day of the murders, Saji reportedly had an argument with Reji while under the influence of alcohol. During the altercation, Saji allegedly attacked Reji, strangling him to death, before turning on their mother and striking her head against the wall until she lost consciousness. It is claimed that Saji kept the bodies inside the house covered with a sheet overnight before dragging them to the pit and burying them under dirt and dung. To deter anyone from approaching, he tied the family dog to a post near the site.
Sister Files a Complaint
Reji worked with an agency renting out lighting and sound equipment, while Saji occasionally engaged in farming. Their sister, Sini, who is married and lives in Anakkara, mentioned that the family was not very social. She revealed that Saji had been behaving poorly after drinking for a long time. After questioning his behavior last year, he threatened her, saying he would kill her if their mother returned home. Following the auto-rickshaw driver's observations, Sini filed a complaint with the police.
Saji's Arrest
The next day, police searched the house and recovered the bodies. Saji fled and hid in a nearby cardamom plantation overnight. However, when police launched a search operation and alerted border checkpoints towards Tamil Nadu, Saji reportedly confessed his crime at a local shop.
Voting and Wedding Plans
On April 9, Saji was seen at the polling booth with a bandage on his arm, claiming he had fallen in the restroom. A neighbor reported that Saji had told them he was set to marry on April 30 at a church in Nedumkandam, stating he had been in love with the girl for years and that Reji had approved the marriage. However, he later mentioned that the wedding had been postponed.
Investigation into Father's Disappearance
Following this double murder case, police are revisiting the investigation into Mathew's disappearance. Sini recalled the day her father went missing, stating he often traveled for religious conferences. In 2018, he told their mother he was going to Nedumkandam but forgot his phone in the rush to catch a bus. Since then, they have had no news of him. Sini expressed hope that this case might finally provide answers.