Rancour or conspiracy? Mystery surrounds murder of Kottayam couple; detailed probe sought

Kottayam: Mystery surrounds the murder of Vijayakumar (64), owner of Indraprastham auditorium of Kottayam, and his wife Meera (60), as T Asaf Ali, former Director General of Prosecution, demands a detailed investigation into the hideous crime. Vijayakumar, who had been fighting a legal battle in the High Court for five years demanding a CBI investigation into his son's death, was recently granted a favourable verdict. However, shortly after the CBI began investigation into the son's death, Vijayakumar and his wife were found murdered under mysterious circumstances.

Speaking to Mathrubhumi News, Asaf Ali, who had appeared in court for Vijayakumar, said that a clear and thorough investigation into this incident is absolutely necessary. “It is a tragic incident where someone had to sacrifice their life just because they sought justice for their son's murder. A detailed investigation is essential. They were killed just days after finally achieving progress in their long legal fight. No one else should have to go through something like this. Vijayakumar was truly happy after the court’s verdict. A fair investigation is unavoidable in this case,” he said.

Gautham Vijayakumar’s death

On June 3, 2017, Vijayakumar’s son, Gautham Vijayakumar, was found dead near the railway tracks adjacent to Caritas Hospital, Kottayam. There were bloodstains in his parked car, located a short distance away from where the body was found. This led Vijayakumar to approach the High Court. In 2019, citing dissatisfaction with the initial investigation of the local police, he demanded a CBI probe. Asaf Ali had represented him in the court proceedings. In March, the CBI finally began investigation into Gautham’s death. But within a few months of the investigation starting, Vijayakumar and his wife were found dead under suspicious circumstances. “It now appears that they had to pay with their lives for trying to identify their son’s killers,” said Asaf Ali. 

“Initially, police had concluded that the injuries on Gautham’s body were self-inflicted. However, the High Court ruled that multiple injuries, especially on the neck, could not be self-inflicted. Therefore, the court determined it was not a suicide, but murder, and ordered a CBI investigation. Vijayakumar and his wife had fought for five years for that very order,” he said. 

Details of the incident

“Gautham Vijayakumar was found dead near the railway tracks. His car was full of blood—on the front and back doors and all over. A person with such severe injuries could not have walked 204 meters to the railway track. If he had managed to walk that far and jumped in front of a train, the body would have been severed. But his body was found to the side of the tracks, not as if he had jumped in front of a train. It was clearly not a suicide. It was murder. That was Vijayakumar’s argument, and the court accepted it. The High Court clearly stated in its verdict that it was murder, which led to the CBI being tasked with the investigation,” said Asaf Ali.

“The night before the incident, around 8 PM, Gautham called his mother and asked if she wanted any food. She replied no. After he did not return by morning, the family filed a police complaint. His body was later found near the railway tracks,” Asaf Ali added.

“They were killed just days after the court’s order came through. It’s a deeply disturbing incident. No one should have to face such a tragedy. Vijayakumar was overjoyed after the verdict. This case is filled with mystery. Police must investigate thoroughly. A fair and complete investigation is necessary,” he concluded.