Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: An astrologer has been taken into custody in connection with the murder of a two-and-a-half-year-old girl Devendu in Balaramapuram. Shankumugham Devidasan, a resident of Karikakkom, was arrested by the police following suspicions surrounding his involvement in the case.

Reports indicate that Devidasan had been giving the family several pieces of advice, and authorities are now looking into whether superstition played a role in the girl's murder. The police are conducting a thorough investigation, including examining the possibility that occult beliefs influenced the crime.

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Meanwhile, it has also been revealed that the girl's family was under massive financial strain. The family had reportedly borrowed large sums of money, with loans running into lakhs of rupees from various people. Police have obtained statements that appear to substantiate these claims, suggesting that financial pressures may have been a factor in the events leading up to the tragic incident.

Mother’s suspected involvement

Although no formal charges have been filed, many locals suspect that Sreethu, mother of Devendu, may have been involved in the crime. They believe that Harikumar could not have taken the child without her knowledge, raising doubts about her role in the tragic event.

The incident unfolded in the early hours of Thursday morning when Sreethu reported her daughter as missing. A thorough search by the police and locals continued for several hours, leading to the discovery of the child's body in a well in the yard, following an inspection by the fire brigade. During subsequent questioning, Sreethu's brother Harikumar admitted to committing the crime.