Published Aug 18, 2026 | 2:22 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 18, 2026 | 8:08 PM
The deceased, Sivankutty Chettiar, a native of Paravoor in Kollam, was found dead inside the rented house where he had been staying with his family.
Synopsis: A 13-year-old girl allegedly plotted the murder of her grandfather in Karuvatta, with three other minors accused of carrying out the killing and stealing gold from the house. Police say the teenagers allegedly planned to sell the stolen jewellery to buy an iPhone and a bike, while the girl watched the murder through a video call.
Shocking details have emerged in the murder of a 65-year-old man at Karuvatta in Haripad, Alappuzha, with the police taking four minors into custody, including his 13-year-old granddaughter, in connection with the crime.
The deceased, Sivankutty Chettiar, a native of Paravoor in Kollam, was found dead inside the rented house, on Monday, 17 August, where he had been staying with his family.
Police suspect that the murder was planned by the teenage girl, who allegedly enlisted three boys from Paravoor to carry out the attack.
According to the police, the three boys entered the house at night and killed Sivankutty before taking gold ornaments from the premises.
The girl, who was not at home when the crime took place, allegedly watched the proceedings through a video call. Investigators are examining the exact circumstances and motive behind the murder.
The stolen gold was allegedly to be sold to raise money to buy an iPhone for the girl and a bike for one of the accused.
Another account being examined by the police is that the teenagers were looking for money and valuables, believing that cash could have been kept at the house because construction work was under way on two houses nearby.
The family had purchased land close to the rented house and were constructing homes for their daughters. One of the houses was nearing completion, while work on the second was continuing.
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Police initially suspected that the murder took place on 16 August, Sunday, evening or night. However, further investigation revealed that he could have been killed on Saturday, 15 August night.
Sivankutty had been living in Karuvatta with his wife Saraswathi, daughter Sreekala and granddaughter. Sreekala had been admitted to Vandanam Medical College Hospital for delivery, while Saraswathi was staying with her at the hospital. Another daughter, Sasikala, is abroad.
With the other family members away, Sivankutty and his granddaughter were understood to be the only occupants of the house. The girl had reportedly gone to a friend’s house after attending tuition on Saturday. The following morning, the girl returned home but found the house locked, with no response she returned.
On Sunday, 16 August, morning she again visited the house and this time she informed neighbours, following which the premises were opened. Sivankutty was found lying in the dining hall with his hands and feet tied behind him.
His body bore signs of a violent assault, and a cloth was found tied around his neck. Police later indicated that he had been strangled. A post-mortem examination was conducted to establish the precise cause and manner of death.
Initial inspection suggested that gold ornaments were missing from the house. The cupboards had been opened and household articles were found scattered around the rooms, giving the appearance of a robbery.
Police suspect that the 13-year-old girl, granddaughter of Sivankutty Chettiyar, had a direct role in planning his murder.
According to the police, the girl is Sreekala’s daughter from her first marriage. Sreekala had separated from her first husband and later married again. Her second husband is currently working in the Gulf.
The family, originally from Kollam, moved to a rented house in Karuvatta a couple of years ago.
Police said the girl had been in a relationship and had allegedly been complaining to her boyfriend about her grandfather.
The boyfriend, in turn, is believed to have discussed her grievances with his friends.
Investigators suspect that the girl saw an opportunity when her mother, Sreekala, was admitted to hospital for the delivery of her second child.
With Sreekala away, the girl allegedly contacted her friends in Kollam. Police said the girl allegedly provided the group with crucial details about the house, including the presence of gold ornaments, the fact that Chettiyar would be alone and information that could help them enter and leave the premises. Investigators suspect that she specifically instructed them to kill him.
According to police, the girl contacted her boyfriend by phone on Friday and informed him that Chettiyar would be alone on Saturday. She allegedly told him to carry out the murder on that day.
The preliminary investigation has also revealed a possible reason for the girl’s resentment towards her grandfather.
Police said Chettiyar was strict with her and frequently reprimanded her over her excessive use of a mobile phone and for returning home late.
The girl is suspected to have repeatedly expressed her anger over these restrictions to her boyfriend, eventually leading to the alleged plan to eliminate him.
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The manner in which the crime was carried out initially led investigators to suspect that more than one person was involved. The accused are believed to have entered through the toilet ventilation. The asbestos sheet covering the toilet was found damaged, indicating that the opening may have been used to gain access to the house.
Investigators were also struck by the apparent attempt to destroy or conceal evidence. Chili powder had been scattered in the rooms and near the doorways. Police believe the accused took the powder from the kitchen and spread it around the house in an attempt to prevent sniffer dogs from following their trail.
The police dog that reached the scene picked up a scent and moved towards the rear of the property and a newly constructed building. This strengthened the suspicion that the assailants had avoided the main road while entering or leaving the area.
Fingerprint and forensic teams examined the house and collected evidence. Investigators also questioned people associated with the construction work and others known to Sivankutty as part of the initial probe.
Sivankutty and his family had moved to Karuvatta about two years ago.
Neighbours had reportedly seen Sivankutty serving tea to workers at the construction site around 5 pm on Saturday. Police are therefore examining the possibility that the murder was committed later that evening or during the night.
The involvement of the four minors has now given the investigation a new direction. Police are continuing to verify the sequence of events.
Alappuzha District Police Chief Vishnu Pradeep said, speaking with the press about the murder of Sivankutty, said, “It was primarily planned as a theft, but the investigation has also revealed a possible revenge motive linked to an allegation made by the 13-year-old girl.”
According to the police, the girl had told her boyfriend that Sivankutty had allegedly touched her inappropriately and had expressed a grudge against him. She allegedly persuaded the boy to come to her house with friends and kill Sivankutty.
However, police clarified that the alleged bad-touch incident has not been established and that the girl’s statements are being examined in detail. The District Police Chief stressed that the allegation made by the girl against Sivankutty remains unconfirmed and is being investigated along with the other evidence.
The investigation initially focused on close relatives and outsiders, with different teams pursuing separate leads.
A contradiction in the statement of one of the girl’s close relatives prompted a parallel investigation, which eventually led police to the suspected involvement of the girl and her boyfriend from Kollam.
The District Police Chief said the investigation established that the boy and two friends had reached the house on the evening of Saturday 15 August, after being brought there by the girl.
The girl allegedly told them that there would be gold and money at the house. Police said discussions had taken place beforehand about whether Sivankutty would have money with him.
The investigation has also indicated that the accused had watched a movie before carrying out the crime and believed they could mislead investigators by scattering chilli powder at the scene.
The arrested accused are two boys aged 17 and 16, studying in Plus One and Plus Two, and another who had discontinued his Plus One studies.
The police said they appear to have carried out the crime with the maturity of adults.
Their possible previous criminal involvement is being checked, while digital evidence has already been collected.
The postmortem report has also revealed the brutality of the attack. Sivankutty suffered severe blows to the head, resulting in internal bleeding in the brain. He was allegedly strangled after he became unconscious. The report also noted deep injuries above the jaw.
Meanwhile, The entire quantity of stolen gold has been recovered. A portion of the gold had allegedly been sold for ₹16,000 at a jewellery shop in Kollam.
Police recovered the gold and identified the person who assisted in the sale. The person has no apparent connection with the murder, and his role is being examined separately.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
