Kerala: Teen Girl Hires 3 Friends To Kill Grandfather; Wanted iPhone, Bike for Boyfriend

Police investigating the murder of 65-year-old Sivankutty Chettiyar inside a locked rented house in Karuvatta, Kerala, have taken his 13-year-old granddaughter and three other minors into custody. Police suspect the Class 8 student planned the killing and allegedly enlisted the three teenagers, who are suspected of carrying out the murder.

The girl allegedly wanted to buy an iPhone for herself and a bike for her boyfriend, police suspect. Investigators are also examining whether the cash and gold allegedly stolen from Sivankutty's house were intended to fund the purchases. The allegations are based on the ongoing investigation, and police are verifying the statements of the girl and other evidence. Kerala: Man Brutally Kills Parents in Idukki, Tells Police He Got ‘Call From God’.

13-Year-Old Granddaughter Among Four Minors In Custody

Sivankutty, a native of Nedungolam in Kollam's Paravur, had been staying at the rented house in Karuvatta. Neighbours reportedly last saw him outside the house on Saturday evening, August 15. The house remained locked for two days before Sivankutty was found dead.

Police suspect he was killed later on Saturday night. His hands and legs had been tied behind him using bedsheets and other items from the house. Investigators suspect that he was strangled to death. Chilli powder was also found scattered near the scene. Kerala Shocker: Man Kills Wife With Machete Over Suspicions of Infidelity, Later Found Hanging in Ernakulam.

The initial investigation focused on a possible robbery after police found that the bedroom cupboard had been broken open. Gold ornaments and cash were missing from the house. According to reports, six sovereigns of gold were allegedly stolen.

The circumstances initially suggested that the killing could have been linked to a planned robbery. Police later began examining possible links within the family and reportedly got a breakthrough while analysing phone records.

Police Suspect Teenagers Recorded Killing

According to police, the three other minors allegedly showed the girl footage of the killing on a phone after the murder. Investigators suspect the teenagers carried out the killing after the girl allegedly realised that her grandfather was alone at home.

The girl had reportedly befriended the other teenagers while studying in Kollam. Her statements and the accounts of the other minors are being verified by police.

iPhone For Girl, Bike For Boyfriend

Police suspect the girl had a grudge against Sivankutty after he repeatedly scolded her for using her phone frequently and returning home late. According to the investigation, the girl allegedly wanted to buy an iPhone for herself and a bike for her boyfriend.

Police are examining whether the money and valuables allegedly taken from the house were intended to pay for the purchases. The investigation has not yet established all details of the alleged motive, and police are continuing to verify the evidence.

At the time of the incident, Sivankutty's wife was in hospital with their daughter, who had been admitted for a planned delivery. His other daughter, Sasikala, is abroad.

Two houses were also under construction near the rented house for his daughters. Police suspect the circumstances left Sivankutty alone at the residence when the alleged killing took place.

Sivankutty's body is currently at Haripad taluk hospital. A postmortem examination will be conducted at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital under the supervision of the police surgeon. The investigation is continuing, with police examining phone records, statements from the minors and other evidence collected from the scene.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 18, 2026 06:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).