Peermade: In a shocking turn of events, the death of a 42-year-old tribal woman, initially believed to be caused by a wild elephant attack, is now being treated as a suspected murder, with her husband emerging as the prime suspect, according to police officials in Peermade.

The deceased, Seetha, a native of Thottapura, was found dead in the forest area near Meenmutty on Friday. Her husband, Binu (48), a temporary forest department employee, had initially claimed that Seetha was killed during a wild elephant attack while collecting forest produce, along with their two children Sajumon and Ajimon.

However, a preliminary post-mortem report has now contradicted this version, revealing that Seetha was brutally beaten to death. Her body bore multiple injuries, including fractured ribs, some of which had pierced her lungs, along with severe trauma to the head, indicating that her skull was repeatedly struck against a rough surface. There were also injuries consistent with a fall from a height and signs of torture on her neck and hands.

Husband under police surveillance

Binu, who alerted forest guards about the supposed elephant attack, is now under close police watch. Authorities have confirmed that he will be taken into custody once Seetha’s funeral rites are completed.

According to police, the four family members had gone into the forest around 9 am on Friday. By 2 pm, the children reportedly called relatives, informing them of an "accident." Relatives and forest officials rushed to the spot and brought the injured Seetha to Peermade Taluk Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival. Binu also received treatment and was later shifted to Kanjirappally General Hospital, where he repeated his version of events to the media.

Wild animal attack protest

Initial reports led locals to believe that Seetha had died in a tragic wild animal attack, prompting a large public protest in Peermade. However, suspicions grew after the inquest proceedings.

While officials had initially planned to send the body to Kottayam Medical College for a detailed autopsy, political pressure from the scene led to the post-mortem being conducted at Peermade Taluk Hospital. The results provided evidence supporting the suspicion of murder.