A 13-year-old girl allegedly orchestrated the murder of a 65-year-old male relative, Sivankutty Chettiar, at his rented house in Karuvatta, near Haripad in Alappuzha district, Kerala, with police stating that the crime was carried out on Saturday night by three minor boys she had reportedly recruited for the purpose. Investigators suspect the primary motive was theft of gold ornaments and cash to fund the teenagers' desire for expensive gadgets and motorcycles.

How the Crime Unfolded

According to police, the girl allegedly chose the night of the attack deliberately — Chettiar's wife and daughter had left for a hospital for a childbirth, leaving the elderly man alone. The three boys, who had reportedly travelled from Kollam, arrived at the house after 9 pm. In an apparent attempt to evade detection, they reportedly left their own mobile phones behind before reaching the location.

The victim's hands and legs were allegedly bound behind him using bedsheets and other cloth, after which a cloth was tightened around his neck, causing his death. The attackers then allegedly broke open a bedroom cupboard and fled with gold ornaments and cash. In what investigators describe as a deliberate attempt to mislead the inquiry, the group allegedly scattered chilli powder on the floor and near the doors of the house after the murder.

Girl's Behaviour Raises Alarm

The investigation took a significant turn on Monday morning when police arrived after the body was discovered. The girl was present at the scene and, despite the bloodstained surroundings, reportedly insisted she needed to leave for school to write an examination. Her unusual composure drew immediate suspicion from investigators.

A woman Circle Inspector subsequently subjected her to intensive psychological questioning. Police said she eventually admitted that the murder had been carried out on her instructions. Investigators also suspect that the attackers showed the girl footage of the crime on a mobile phone.

Motive and Background

Police suspect the motive involved both a prior grudge against the victim and a desire to obtain money and valuables. The teenagers allegedly wanted to buy an expensive iPhone for the girl and luxury motorcycles for the boys. The girl had been staying with the deceased at the rented house — the family had lived there for approximately three years — and had reportedly met the three boys while staying with relatives in Kollam.

Notably, police have not officially disclosed the identities of the victim or the accused. The name Sivankutty Chettiar emerged during the course of the investigation. The body was shifted from Haripad Taluk Hospital to Alappuzha Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Drug Angle and What Comes Next

Investigators are now probing whether drugs played a role in the crime, including whether the teenagers were using MDMA and whether a wider drug network may have influenced the group. All four minors have been taken into police custody and will be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board after completion of the required procedures.

The investigation is continuing into the planning of the murder, the stolen valuables, and the possible involvement of additional individuals. This case raises sharp questions about juvenile crime patterns, digital influence, and the reach of drug networks among minors in Kerala.