Thiruvananthapuram: The case of a two-year-old girl found dead in a well in Balaramapuram has taken a darker turn, as police now treat it as a murder investigation. The child, identified as Devendu, was reported missing early Thursday morning, and her body was found hours later in a nearby well.

Police now suspect foul play after contradictions surfaced in the statements of the family members, who are currently in custody. The child's father, mother, and brother were detained for separate questioning. Police have ruled out the possibility that someone from outside the family was involved in the child's death, with the focus now shifting to internal family issues.

Authorities also discovered a rope tied to an area adjacent to their house, raising suspicions that there may have been an attempt at mass suicide. Locals also reported that the family is in debt, owing approximately Rs 30 lakh.

Additionally, a fire broke out earlier in the day, reportedly in the room of the mother’s brother, who is mentally challenged. After the fire was extinguished, the child was found to be missing, prompting a search operation involving both the fire department and the police.

Devendu’s body was discovered during this search. While the investigation continues, police are focusing on the contradictions in the statements given by family members and the potential connection between the fire, the missing child, and the family’s financial troubles.