Assam native arrested for brutal murder of business couple in Kottayam

Kottayam: Kerala Police have confirmed the arrest of Amit, a native of Assam and a former domestic worker, in connection with the gruesome murder of a prominent businessman and his wife in Thiruvathukkal in Kottayam.

The crime was uncovered on Tuesday morning when a housemaid, upon finding the back door open and sensing something amiss, alerted the neighbours after receiving no response from the residents. The neighbours then informed the police.

Upon investigation, the police discovered the mutilated bodies of Vijayakumar and his wife Meera in separate rooms of their house. Both victims were found disrobed, raising concerns about the particularly violent nature of the crime.

A team under Kottayam Superintendent of Police Shahul Hameed is investigating the case.

Investigators discovered that the CCTV hard disc was missing, pointing to the possible involvement of someone familiar with the household.

Suspicion quickly centred on Amit, a former domestic worker who had been dismissed in November last year for allegedly stealing a mobile phone and cash. After serving time in jail, he was recently released on bail.

Police believe Amit held a grudge against Vijayakumar following his dismissal. CCTV footage revealed Amit checking into a lodge in Kottayam on Sunday and later entering the Kottayam railway station with a platform ticket on Monday evening. Investigators suspect he carried out the murders late that night.

An axe, suspected to be the murder weapon, was retrieved from the crime scene. Forensic analysis verified Amit's fingerprints on the axe and at various spots within the house. His identity was further corroborated by matching these fingerprints with records from his prior arrest.

Amit was taken into custody near Thrissur. Police had indicated on Tuesday, soon after the investigation began, that a suspect was already in custody.

The victims, Vijayakumar and Meera, were prominent entrepreneurs and owners of a high-end convention centre, among other businesses.

Police have largely ruled out burglary as a motive in the double murder, as no valuables were found missing and the house was not ransacked.

In a tragic twist, Vijayakumar's son, Gautam, was found dead under mysterious circumstances seven years ago, his mutilated body discovered near a railway track in the district.

Last month, the Kerala High Court ordered a CBI probe into Gautam’s death, following a petition filed by Vijayakumar. The Thiruvananthapuram unit of the CBI had just begun its investigation.

(with inputs from agencies)