Kerala: Girl hired friends to murder grandfather for want of money, probe reveals

In a case originating in Alappuzha, Kerala, a minor girl and her teenage friends allegedly conspired to murder the girl's grandfather for financial gain, according to a police investigation. The crime took place on August 15, with the girl's friends travelling from Kollam by train and entering the victim's home via the washroom vent later that night.

The girl's mother and daughter were away at the time, visiting a hospital. Upon entering the residence, a scuffle ensued, and the victim was ultimately smothered to death. Following the murder, the gang combed the house for valuables, stealing six sovereigns of gold. The girl and her accomplices were subsequently apprehended by the police.

The motive for the crime, as reported by Alappuzha Superintendent Vishnu Pradeep, was financial - the trio sought to purchase an iPhone for the girl and a bike for their co-conspirators. After the crime, the gang returned to Kollam early on Sunday morning. Upon returning to their grandfather's house on Monday, the girl alerted her neighbors to the locked front door and the lack of response at the door.

Neighbors eventually broke in, leading to the police's involvement. Initially, police were unsure of the circumstances, but they noted the girl's demeanor following the incident and inconsistencies in her statements. As the investigation progressed, they discovered that the group had been influenced by movies and had disguised the crime scene with chilly powder to impede the investigation.

The girl and her friends have no prior criminal records and come from broken families, yet there is no indication of remorse from any of them. The teens will be presented before the Juvenile Justice Board, with recommendations to treat them as adults due to the severity of their actions.