Kattappana: More detail surfaces regarding the suspected human sacrifice of an elderly man and a newborn here. 

According to reports, the deceased man and his family were very close with the accused, Nitheesh. The superstitious belief of the family gave Nitheesh more influence over the family. 

They reportedly believed that Nitheesh, who practised black magic, would solve their problems. With his entry, they lost contact with their relatives and have not been close to anyone for many years.

Relatives say that when Vijayan’s daughter fell ill once and recovered later, the family believed Nitheesh’s ‘pooja’ cured it. Vijayan’s son Vishnu, who is also an accused in this case, was not initially convinced of Nitheesh. However, the duo later set aside their differences. Although relatives warned the family against Nitheesh, they did not pay heed to it.

Meanwhile, Nitheesh became close to Vijayan’s daughter and had a child with her. He then killed the infant within days of birth. The murder took place at Vijayan’s house near Sagara Junction near here. It is indicated that the infant’s body was buried in a cow shed here. As per Nitheesh’s statement, Vijayan and Vishnu aided him in committing infanticide.

The family later sold this house. Nitheesh took the majority of the money received in the sale in the name of conducting ‘pooja’. They lived on rent in many places and took up residence in the house in Kakkattukada eight months ago. Reportedly, Nitheesh continued his black magic here as well.

The family had no connection with the neighbours here. When Vishnu and Nitheesh were nabbed in a theft case, the police arrived at the rented house and found the women (Vishnu’s mother and sister) locked in a small room. A stove and some food items were there in this room. The house was strewn with sacks, clothes and remnants of food packages.

Two rooms were covered with black plastic and cloth. There were many pooja items, figurines and books here. Vijayan was murdered and buried on the floor of this house. 

Vijayan was reportedly unable to go to work due to health ailments and this is where the problems with Nitheesh began. He demanded the money from the house sale that was kept by Nitheesh. Along with Vishnu, Nitheesh hit Vijayan on the head, dressed the body in pants and a shirt and placed it on a chair. They had crushed the body in three places before burying it, police say.

Apart from this, demands are being raised to investigate the suicide of Nitheesh’s uncle, who killed himself while the latter was living with them. Vijayan’s body was recovered yesterday.