Kattakada (Thiruvananthapuram): The woman, who had been found dead under mysterious circumstances at Muthiyavila here, was murdered by her partner, confirmed the police. 

The post-mortem report of Maya Murali of Bhavana Nilayam at Peroorkkada here confirmed the murder, the Kattakada Police said. They said that the search for her partner Ranjith (31), a Kudappanakkunnu native who is at large, has been intensified. A look out notice for him has also been issued, the police added.
  
Maya was found dead at a rubber estate near her rented house at Muthiyavila in Kattakkada on Thursday at around 10.30 am. Since then her partner Ranjith, an auto driver, has gone missing. 

Meanwhile, the police have questioned another person who used to visit the house of Maya and Ranjith. An auto suspected to be owned by Ranjith was found abandoned at Choondupalaka here and was later seized by the police. The Forensic Department collected evidence from the spot. Kattakkada   DySP P C Jayakumar is leading the probe.

Maya is survived by two daughters who are living with their grandmother. Maya’s husband Manoj had died in a road accident four years ago. 

According to her relatives, Maya and Ranjith started living together last year. They moved to the rented house at Muthiyavila only three months ago. Ranjith used to assault her always, they said.  

Meanwhile, local residents said that the couple had no connection with the neighbours, who thought they were husband and wife. 

Maya’s body, which was handed over to her relatives after post-mortem, was cremated at Harvipuram crematorium later. 

Suo moto case by Women’s Commission 

The Women’s Commission took suo moto case in the incident. Commission chairperson P Satheedevi said she has sought a report on the progress in the probe.