Puthenvelikkara murder case: Accused killed old woman alone

Kochi: After several sessions of interrogation, the investigation team on Tuesday said that the accused  in the Puthenvelikkara murder acted alone. They said the Assamese native murdered the 61-year-old woman while attempting to sexually assault the victim in an inebriated condition. Cops also took the accused Parimal Sahu alias Munna (24) to the crime scene for evidence collection and produced him before a local court. The court remanded him in judicial custody later in the day.

Molly, wife of late Davis, was found lying in a pool of blood at the bedroom in the ground floor of the two-storey building. Her Palatti House stands opposite to the Puthenvelikkara panchayat office. Cops questioned four migrant labourers, including accused Munna, who were staying as tenants in the outhouse. The Assamese national during interrogation, admitted to the crime.

"The three others who were taken into custody on suspicion were released after they were found to have no role in the murder. We've collected evidences from the spot, including the turkey and stones used for the murder," said Vadekkekara CI Murali M.K. The accused, in an inebriated condition, reached the house around 1.30 am on Sunday. When the victim answered to the door bell, the accused pushed her inside and tried to sexually assault her.

However, she when she resisted, he choked her using a bath towel and then smashed her head with rocks collected from outside, which led to her death. He then took the body to the bedroom and left after locking up the room, police sources said. The doctor who conducted autopsy also inspected the accused and found injury marks caused when the victim resisted the sexual assault bid.