Chilling murder for property: Children kill woman and hang body; Forensic surgeon findings

Kasaragod: The case of Ammalu Amma (68) from Kolathur, initially deemed a suicide, has taken a chilling turn with forensic evidence pointing towards murder. Forensic surgeon Dr S. Gopalakrishna Pillai from the Kannur medical college concluded that Ammalu Amma was brutally murdered by her children due to property dispute.

Dr. Pillai's autopsy revealed that Ammalu Amma was strangled to death, contradicting initial findings of suicide. His visit to the scene strengthened his findings, as he observed that the pole from which she was purportedly hanged could not support her weight. The positioning of the body lying on the ground with head raised, further indicated foul play.

"The post-mortem report and the position of the body unequivocally suggest that this was murder," stated Dr. Pillai, who retired from service last year. His testimony was pivotal in shifting the investigation's direction.

In response, the defence presented Dr. Shirley Vasu, a renowned forensic surgeon, to counter Dr. Pillai's claims. Dr. Vasu argued that the cause of death was indeed suicide, challenging the prosecution's narrative.

Local suspicion had long been brewing that the death was staged to appear as a suicide. The roots of the tragedy trace back to a land dispute. Ammalu Amma had sold 70 cents of land and purchased another property, registering it in her son's name. Following this transaction, her children reportedly began neglecting her, refusing her access to her favourite TV shows and meals. This drastic change in behaviour led her to demand the return of the property to her name.

The police investigation uncovered that the dispute escalated fatally. While Ammalu Amma was asleep, she was allegedly strangled with bare hands, her face pressed with a pillow, and a nylon rope tightened around her neck. Blood was found oozing from her mouth and nose, further supporting the prosecution's case.