Published Nov 03, 2026 | 12:08 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 03, 2026 | 12:08 PM
Murder. (Representative image)
A major twist has emerged in the murder of 17-year-old Abhiram in Sreekaryam, with the accused minor telling police that the teenager was not the intended target but was allegedly used to lure another friend to the spot.
According to the latest statement by the accused minor, another friend of Abhiram had allegedly behaved inappropriately towards a girl, and the plan was to use Abhiram to bring that person to the location.
However, a dispute broke out, eventually leading to Abhiram’s murder, the accused reportedly told investigators. The revelation came during detailed questioning at Sreekaryam police station under the supervision of the City Police Commissioner.
Although the minor was taken into custody, he was initially questioned and later handed over to his father. He was summoned again when he reportedly confessed to the murder and to abandoning the body on an open plot of land.
He had initially claimed that Abhiram was repeatedly messaging a girl on Instagram and that she had complained about this to a male friend, prompting the decision to summon and kill him.
However, the latest version points to another friend of Abhiram as the actual target.
Police said the latest statement would be examined in detail to establish the sequence of events and the motive behind the murder.
Meanwhile, investigators have confirmed that the girl from Manakkadu, who is currently in custody, is 18 years old.
Abhiram’s body will be handed over to his relatives today after the post-mortem examination.
Also Read: Keralam: Teenager found murdered, body stuffed in sack in Thiruvananthapuram; three in custody
The murder follows a dispute over a romantic relationship.
Police have arrested three persons in connection with the murder of Abhiram A.D., including the minor, the 18-year-old girl identified as Anantha and Umar (21), who allegedly helped dispose of the body.
The minor is first accused, Umar is the second accused, while Anantha the third.
The murder was allegedly planned as an act of revenge against a friend of Abhiram, whom the minor blamed for the breakdown of his previous relationship.
According to the police investigation, the minor had initially planned to kill Abhiram’s friend, who was close to Anantha.
The two had separated, and the boy had subsequently got close with Anantha, a student at the Government ITI in Kazhakoottam.
The girl later sent him a photograph of herself with the boy, who was a friend of Abhiram.
This reportedly provoked the minor, who believed this new person was responsible for their separation.
The minor also became suspicious of Abhiram after learning that he had been sending messages to Anantha.
The deceased, MD Abhiram, a Plus-Two student of NSS Higher Secondary School, Paruthippara, was a native of Pangappara and had been missing since Sunday.
Abhiram left home on Sunday afternoon after telling his family he was going to Pangappara.
When his phone remained unreachable despite repeated attempts to contact him, his parents alerted the Sreekaryam police, who began questioning his friends and tracing his last contacts.
Two days before the murder, he allegedly took possession of Anantha’s phone and began messaging Abhiram, impersonating her.
He lured Abhiram to Pangappara by asking him to meet there.
The original plan was to use Abhiram to summon the his friend and then attack him.
The minor allegedly intended to threaten Abhiram into calling his friend. However, the friend did not turn up despite repeated calls.
An argument broke out between the minor and Abhiram at Pangappara. When Abhiram tried to escape, the accused allegedly hit him on the head, causing him to fall, before strangling him with a belt.
The minor subsequently contacted Umar, who allegedly arrived at the scene to help dispose of the body.
The body was stuffed into a sack and abandoned. Police have now arrested three in connection with the crime.
(Edited by Sumavarsha with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
