Thottappally murder: Police arrest real killers after stolen phone was recovered; initial suspect cleared of murder charge

Alappuzha: In the case of the murder of a 62-year-old woman who lived alone in Thottappally, police have revealed that the person initially arrested was not the actual perpetrator. The murder was committed by a couple who had come to steal valuables including gold, according to police. It is believed the woman was strangled.

The accused are Sainulabdeen (43) and his wife Aneesha (38), residents of Muttekkattil, Thrikkunnappuzha. Sainulabdeen has been remanded, while Aneesha has been placed under medical observation due to signs of epilepsy, said District Police Chief M.P. Mohanachandran. The first person arrested in the case, Mannancherry Ambanakulangara Puthenveettil Aboobacker (68), has been cleared of the murder charge but remains in jail for other offences including sexual assault, according to police.

The woman was found murdered inside her home on August 17. She had been sexually assaulted. The breakthrough came when police traced her stolen mobile phone, leading them to the real culprits. Two years ago, Sainulabdeen had rented a house near the victim’s residence, suggesting that the murder was premeditated. The couple had disconnected the electricity supply and scattered chilli powder to hinder detection.

The exact amount of the victim’s savings is unknown, making it unclear what was stolen. It is suspected that while Aboobacker was inside the house, the couple were also on the premises.

Aboobacker was arrested the other day after he confessed to the murder. He reportedly arrived at the woman’s house around noon, around which time the assault also took place. Police believe he may have mistakenly thought the woman had died when she lost consciousness, prompting his confession. He was charged with murder among other offences, but police now plan to drop the murder charge and reassess the case sections after further investigation.

Initial confession misled police, stolen phone proved pivotal

Aboobacker’s confession may have stemmed from a misunderstanding. He had a long-standing relationship with the victim and had visited her on the day of the murder. She was assaulted that same day. Police suspect he believed she died during the assault when she lost consciousness.

Aboobacker reportedly told police, “Please save me… I made a mistake,” revealed the District Police Chief M.P. Mohanachandran during a press conference. Even after his arrest, there was ambiguity surrounding the murder. The investigation into the missing mobile phone proved pivotal. When the phone was switched on the previous day, police tracked it to the actual suspects.

The investigation centred on the phone’s signal from the Karunagappally tower location, leading police to Sainulabdeen and Aneesha in Muttekkattil, Thrikkunnappuzha. Aneesha is Sainulabdeen’s third wife. Two years ago, he had lived near the victim’s house. Police suspect the couple targeted the home believing it would be easy to rob since the woman lived alone. Sainulabdeen has a history of theft charges.

No lapses, says District Police Chief

District Police Chief M.P. Mohanachandran praised the team’s efficiency in identifying the real culprits in the Thottappally murder case. He stated there were no lapses in the investigation. The same officers who arrested Aboobacker managed to gather further evidence and apprehend the actual perpetrators within hours. He added that even if the mobile phone hadn’t been switched on, the police would have found another way to crack the case.

The post-mortem’s preliminary findings showed no major internal or external injuries. However, due to suspicions of murder, the investigation continued. Around 60 suspects were questioned multiple times.

Aboobacker was initially summoned for questioning as a key witness. But inconsistencies in his responses led police to interrogate him further, resulting in his confession.

Still, clarity was needed regarding the exact cause of death. Efforts were made to locate the missing mobile phone, and once it was switched on, police were able to identify the real culprits.