Forensic surgeons found no signs of an elephant attack; instead, Seetha's body showed blunt force trauma, grip marks on her face and neck, and multiple injuries to her head and chest
Published Jun 14, 2025 | 6:55 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 14, 2025 | 6:55 PM
Suspected murder in Peerumedu: Tribal woman’s death initially attributed to elephant attack now under scrutiny
Synopsis: A tribal woman’s death in Peerumedu, Idukki, initially blamed on a wild elephant attack, is now suspected to be murder. Seetha (42) died while collecting forest produce. Her husband Binu, a Forest Department employee, claimed an elephant killed her. However, inconsistencies in his account and post-mortem findings have led police to suspect foul play, with Binu under close watch
What was initially believed to be the tragic death of a tribal woman in a wild elephant attack in the forests of Peerumedu has taken a disturbing turn, with police now suspecting foul play.
Seetha (42), a resident of Thottappura, died under mysterious circumstances on Friday while collecting forest produce near Meenmutty, around 3.5 km from her home.
Her husband, Binu (48), a temporary Forest Department employee, claimed she was fatally attacked by a wild elephant that charged at them from the undergrowth.
According to Binu’s account, the animal suddenly emerged from the forest and flung Seetha aside with its trunk around 2 p.m.
He stated that he immediately alerted relatives and forest guards, who rushed Seetha to the Peerumedu Taluk Hospital. She was declared dead on arrival.
However, the post-mortem findings have contradicted this version. Forensic surgeons at the hospital found no injuries consistent with an elephant attack.
Instead, Seetha’s body bore signs of brutal assault. There were blunt force injuries, including marks on her face and neck suggestive of being gripped, and multiple injuries to her head and chest.
The report indicated that the left side of her head had been held while the right side was repeatedly struck against a rough surface, such as a rock or tree.
Additional injuries pointed to a possible fall from height, further worsening her condition. Seven vertebrae on the left side of her body were fractured, two of which had pierced her lungs, while six vertebrae on the right side were also broken, with one puncturing another lung.
Based on these findings, police have raised serious doubts about Binu’s narrative. He has been under surveillance since the incident and is likely to be taken into custody following Seetha’s funeral rites.
(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
