Businessman, wife found murdered at home near Kottayam

A police dog inspecting in the premises of the house near Thiruvathukkal, where the twin murder took place.
| Photo Credit: VISHNU PRATHAP

A businessman and his wife were found brutally murdered at their residence in Thiruvathukkal, near Kottayam, on Tuesday.

The victims were identified as Vijaya Kumar, owner of the Indraprastham Auditorium at Thirunakkara, and his wife Meera. The murders came to light around 8:45 a.m. when their domestic help arrived at the house and found the couple lying dead.

According to the police, both victims were found in separate rooms, lying in pools of blood with deep injuries, particularly on their faces, inflicted by a sharp weapon. The bodies were found lying unclothed. A weapon suspected to have been used in the murder was also recovered from the scene.

The police have ruled out robbery, pointing instead to personal enmity as the likely motive. A search is on to trace an inter-State migrant worker who had previously been employed at the residence. The person, identified as Amit, was dismissed last year following a theft involving a mobile phone.

“This individual used the stolen phone to withdraw money from Mr. Vijaya Kumar’s account,” a police official said. “A complaint was lodged and he was arrested . He, however, is currently out on bail.”

Preliminary investigations suggest the assailant scaled over the compound wall and gained entry into the house by breaking the window near the main door. He then unbolted the door from inside and entered the house.

“The data recorder of the CCTV network at the house is missing and we suspect the assailant removed them,” said Kottayam District Police Chief Shahul Hameed. “We have received strong leads pointing to the accused, ” the official added.

The weapon used for the murders is believed to have been taken from the outhouse on the property.

The bodies were later shifted to Kottayam Medical College Hospital for post-mortem following the completion of inquest procedures.

The couple had earlier lost their elder son, who was found dead near a railway track in June 2017. That case is currently under investigation by the CBI. Besides the auditorium, Vijaya Kumar also owned several other business ventures. The couple is survived by a daughter who lives abroad.