Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Kerala Teen Allegedly Plots Relative’s Murder With Three Minors
Police in Kerala say a 13-year-old girl may have helped plan the killing of her elderly relative.
Three other boys, including her alleged boyfriend, are accused of carrying out the attack.
The victim was alone at home when the boys allegedly arrived on Saturday night.
Police say his hands and legs were tied and a cloth was tightened around his neck.
Gold and cash were reportedly taken from the house.
Investigators believe the teenagers wanted money for an expensive phone and motorcycles.
The girl also allegedly told police about unwanted touching by the victim, so revenge is being examined as another possible motive.
Police say the boys showed the attack to the girl during a video call.
All four minors are in custody while investigators continue examining the case.
Police allege that a 13-year-old girl planned the killing of her relative, Sivankutty Chettiar, in Karuvatta.
Three minor boys, including the girl’s alleged boyfriend, reportedly travelled from Kollam and carried out the attack.
The victim was found dead on Monday after his wife and daughter left for a hospital on Saturday night.
Police suspect the main motive was stealing gold and cash to buy an expensive phone and motorcycles, while also investigating an alleged prior grudge.
All four minors were apprehended and are expected to be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.
- Who
- A 13-year-old girl and three minor boys, including her alleged boyfriend, are accused; the victim was Sivankutty Chettiar, reported as 65 in one article and 67 in another.
- What
- Police allege that the girl helped plan the killing of her relative and that the three boys carried it out while stealing gold and cash.
- When
- The killing allegedly occurred on Saturday night; the victim’s body was discovered on Monday morning.
- Where
- At the victim’s rented house in Karuvatta, within the Haripad Block Panchayat limits of Alappuzha district, Kerala.
- Why
- Police primarily suspect a plan to steal valuables to fund expensive gadgets and motorcycles, while also investigating an alleged personal-grudge or revenge motive.
Theft as Primary Motive
Revenge as Possible Motive
Reason for the killing
Theft as Primary Motive
Police say the teenagers likely planned to steal gold and cash to buy an expensive mobile phone and motorcycles.
Revenge as Possible Motive
Investigators are also examining the girl’s allegation that the victim subjected her to unwanted touching, which could indicate a revenge motive.
How the crime was organized
Theft as Primary Motive
Police allege that the girl provided information about the victim being alone and about valuables in the house, suggesting a planned theft.
Revenge as Possible Motive
The alleged prior grievance may have contributed to the planning, although police have described theft as the primary apparent motive.
- Victim
- Sivankutty Chettiar; reports give his age as 65 and 67.
- Accused
- A 13-year-old girl and three minor boys, reportedly aged around 16 and 17.
- Location
- A rented house in Karuvatta, Alappuzha district, Kerala.
- Stolen property
- Gold ornaments, a gold chain and cash were reportedly taken.
- Suspected motive
- Police primarily suspect theft to fund an expensive mobile phone and motorcycles; an alleged prior grudge is also being examined.
- Reported concealment attempt
- Investigators allege that chilli powder was scattered around the house to mislead police.
- Legal process
- All four minors were apprehended and are expected to appear before the Juvenile Justice Board under the Juvenile Justice Act.
