Alappuzha , 18 August (H.S.): Police have detained four minors, including a Class VIII student related to the victim, in connection with the murder of a 65-year-old man at Karuvatta near Haripad in Alappuzha district. Investigators suspect that the killing occurred during an attempted robbery there.

The victim, identified as Sivankutty, was found dead inside his house on Monday morning. His wife and daughter were undergoing treatment at a hospital, leaving him alone at the residence when the incident occurred.

The crime came to light after his granddaughter visited the house and found the door locked. Other family members were alerted and entered the premises. Sivankutty's body was found unclothed, with his hands and legs tied together. A piece of cloth had allegedly been tightened around his neck.

During the investigation, police zeroed in on four minors, including a 13-year-old girl from the victim's extended family. The other three juveniles, all below the age of 17, are residents of Paravur in Kollam district.

According to the preliminary police assessment, the 13-year-old allegedly enlisted the help of the three boys to steal gold ornaments from the house. Investigators suspect that she wanted money to purchase an iPhone. The attempted theft reportedly turned fatal when the group attacked Sivankutty.

Police also suspect that the juveniles who entered the house showed the girl what was happening through a video call. Investigators are examining the suspects' mobile phones and questioning them to establish the sequence of events and the precise role played by each juvenile.

Before identifying the minors as suspects, police had questioned several people in the locality, including migrant workers, as part of the investigation.

Further legal proceedings will be conducted in accordance with the Juvenile Justice Act. Police said the investigation was continuing and that the allegations against the detained minors remained subject to verification.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman