Alappuzha: The juveniles accused in the murder of 65-year-old Sivankutty Chettiar at Karuvatta will be taken into police custody on August 29 as investigators seek further evidence in the case. The Juvenile Justice Board, on Monday, granted the custody of the accused following the request of the police.
“We sought five days of custody, subject to the board’s approval. The accused will be interrogated further, and evidence will be collected during the custody,” Haripad CI Vinod told Onmanorama.
While one of the accused told the police that bad touch from her grandfather prompted the 13-year-old girl to plot murder, the cops have come across contrasting statements from other accused. During the period of their custody, the cops intend to get clarity on the motive of murder.
Police will also seek to have the three accused aged 16 to 17 tried as adults. Investigators will submit a report to the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), citing the alleged planning involved in the murder and the serious nature of the offence. Under Section 15 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, the JJB can conduct a preliminary assessment of a child aged 16 to 18 accused of a heinous offence. Based on the assessment, the case can be transferred to a children’s court for trial as an adult.
Meanwhile, the JJB will constitute a psychiatric panel to assess the 13-year-old girl, including whether she understands the gravity of the alleged offence and is mentally equipped to understand the consequences of her actions.
Chettiar was allegedly attacked and killed at his rented residence in Karuvatta on Sunday night. Four minors, including his 13-year-old granddaughter, have been apprehended in connection with the case.
According to police, the girl told her boyfriend that she had experienced “bad touch” from her grandfather, which allegedly triggered a sense of revenge in him. Investigators are examining the allegation and also suspect that the accused had planned to rob Chettiar as part of the crime.
Police said the accused attacked Chettiar, tied him with clothes found at the house and smothered him. He sustained multiple injuries and died of suffocation, according to investigators.
The teenagers allegedly entered the house by breaking an asbestos sheet and squeezing through a small bathroom ventilation opening. The narrow entry point became a key clue during the investigation, as police noted that only very lean persons could have entered through it.
Around 4.5 sovereigns of gold were allegedly stolen from the house. Police said a ring was sold for ₹16,000 and that the stolen gold has since been recovered. A person who allegedly helped the minors sell the jewellery has also been arrested.
Investigators said the accused planned to use the proceeds to buy a two-wheeler and an iPhone. The 13-year-old girl is a Class 8 student. Of the other three accused, two are higher secondary students and one is a Plus One dropout.
