Four minors held in Alappuzha killing of 67-year-old man; theft and revenge alleged
Police in Kerala’s Alappuzha district have arrested four minors – the 13-year-old granddaughter of the victim and three boys – in connection with the death of 67-year-old Sivankutty at his home in Karuvatta. The arrests were made on Tuesday (August 18, 2026), a day after the man’s body was found with his hands and legs tied and a cloth around his neck.
According to the police, the teenagers allegedly planned to steal gold and money from the house to buy a high-end mobile phone and a motorcycle. The gold chain the man was wearing and ornaments kept in the house were found missing after the incident.
Investigators said the three boys allegedly entered the house through a space near a ventilator at the rear of the building. The victim is believed to have been killed during a scuffle that followed. The police said the girl, who is a friend of the boys, allegedly plotted the murder and watched the act over a video call.
The case took a serious turn when the girl, during questioning, reportedly told one of the other accused about an alleged ‘bad touch’ by the victim. District Police Chief Vishnu Pratheep T.K. said this has brought a possible revenge motive into the investigation. Officers are examining all angles while recording statements from the victim’s family and neighbours.
All four accused are residents of Paravur in Kollam district. The girl is related to the victim as his granddaughter, and she was present at the scene when the body was discovered on Monday morning (August 17, 2026), when the man’s wife and daughter had gone to a hospital.
The police initially grew suspicious of the girl’s version of events, and later took the trio of boys into custody. The accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, given that all four are minors. Further legal processes are being conducted as per juvenile justice norms, which emphasise confidentiality and rehabilitation for offenders below 18 years of age.
This incident has highlighted concerns about the safety of elderly people living alone, as well as the vulnerabilities of teenagers exposed to financial and emotional pressures. While the allegations are serious, the legal system will determine the guilt or innocence of the accused through due process.
The police have urged the public not to speculate on the case, and have assured that a thorough investigation is underway. The body was sent for post-mortem, and forensic reports are awaited. Community members in Karuvatta have expressed shock, but have cooperated with the authorities.
