Kerala teen murder: 17-year-old killed after intended target refuses to turn up; accused had announced murder plan on Instagram

Thiruvananthapuram: The murder of a 17-year-old boy in Sreekaryam in Thiruvananathapuram, Kerala was allegedly motivated by a grudge arising from a teenage love triangle. Abhiram, who was killed following a romantic dispute involving a teenage girl, was not the intended target. The attackers had initially planned to kill his friend, who was in a relationship with the girl. Abhiram was allegedly lured to an isolated location in an attempt to draw his friend there, but the plan ended with his murder.

According to the post-mortem report, Abhiram, who went missing at 3 pm on Sunday, was murdered between 6 pm and 8 pm that day.

Three people have been named as accused in the case. They are Umar Mustar, a KAAPA (Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act) case accused from Kallambally Puthuval Puthan Veedu in Sreekaryam, who allegedly took part in the murder; Aananda, an ITI student staying in Manacaud and a friend of Umar, who allegedly participated in the planning; and a 17-year-old boy who allegedly carried out the murder. However, City Police Commissioner Arul R.B. Krishna said more people were suspected to have been involved.

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The murder was allegedly the result of several days of planning. Days before the incident, the prime accused had announced on Instagram that he would commit the murder and sought Umar's help. The two are co-accused in theft and other cases. Umar had reportedly visited the isolated location beforehand and waited there as part of the plan.

With the girl's consent, her phone was allegedly used to send Abhiram a message asking him to come to the location.

However, the teenager who was the intended target sensed danger and refused to turn up. Abhiram was subsequently attacked instead. Police have confirmed that two of the accused strangled him to death using their hands and a belt.

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Investigators have also received information that the teenage girl was present at the scene when the murder took place.

A special team under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) has been formed to investigate the case.