Kerala: Migrant worker held for murder

Kochi: A 60-year old woman, staying along with her mentally-challenged son, was found murdered at her house in Puthenvelikkara village in North Paravur early on Monday. Later in the day, police arrested an Assam native who has rented the outhouse. Molly, wife of late Davis of Palatti House, was found lying in a pool of blood at the bedroom in the ground floor of the two-storey building. An Assam native Munna (28), who was living in the outhouse on rent with three other migrant workers, was taken into custody and charged with murder (IPC 392).

“The victim suffered deep injuries on her head inflicted with a heavy object. The murder happened in the intervening night. We suspect the accused made a sexual assault bid. However, we can tell that conclusively only after getting the post mortem report. Forensic and finger print experts too have collected evidence,” said a senior police official. Molly was living along with her mentally-challenged son Deny while her daughter Emi is in Scotland. Her husband had died three years ago.

The body was first seen by her neighbour after her son had told them that his mother was not responding to his calls. “I went to their house after Deny said Molly wasn’t responding to his calls. Her room was locked from outside. The key was recovered from the next room and on opening the door, we’re shocked to find her lying in a pool of blood. She was in a half-naked state. We immediately alerted the police,” said Nalini, a neighbour.

The cops rushed to the scene and collected evidence. They also recorded the statement of four tenants, all migrant labourers staying in the outhouse. Munna told cops that he heard a sound during midnight from the house. However, cops found his statements contradicting and took him into custody after they noticed blood stains on his slipper.

According to sources, the accused admitted to the crime during interrogation. ‘He said he was in an inebriated condition and attacked her with a stone. Further probe is on,” they said. Ernakulam Rural SP A. V. George, who inspected the crime spot, said a final picture will be arrived at only after getting the report of forensic and fingerprint experts besides the autopsy report.