Kollam: A young man from Kollam, Kerala, has been arrested in connection with the murder of his mother and grandfather.

The suspect, identified as Akhil Kumar, was apprehended in Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly killing his mother, Pushpalatha, and grandfather, Antony, on August 17, 2024, in Padappakara, near St. Joseph's Church.

The incident allegedly arose from an argument over Akhil demanding money to buy drugs. Upset by his family’s refusal, Akhil reportedly attacked his mother and grandfather, killing them both. Pushpalatha died at the scene, while Antony, who sustained severe injuries, succumbed two weeks later at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.

After committing the crime, Akhil stole his mother’s mobile phone and fled the scene. The phone was later sold at a shop in Kottiyam. Following this, Akhil went off the grid, avoiding phone contact and other digital traces.

The police soon learned that Akhil had withdrawn ₹2,000 using his mother’s ATM card in Delhi. A search was conducted there, but Akhil was not found. Undeterred, a special team led by Kundara Circle Inspector (CI) Anil Kumar continued their investigation. They traced his movements and found that he had traveled to a location near Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. The team, led by officers from the Kundara and Haripad stations, reached the area and nabbed Akhil.