Half-burnt body may be that of murdered ex-VC's wife

Chennai, Nov 14 (UNI) The half-burnt body found at Villuppuram district a couple of days ago could be that of Katheeja, wife of Kozhikode University former Vice-Chancellor Malick Mohammed, who was found murdered at his Nagercoil residence.

Tirunelveli Range DIG Kannappan, heading the probe in the case, told UNI over phone today that investigation from various angles was a pointer to this.

''We suspect that the half-burnt body recovered near Olakkur in Villuppuram district on November ten is that of Katheeja. But we have to confirm it scientifically. The body was sent for post mortem and other tests. We are yet to confirm it scientifically,'' he said.

Quoting investigations by the six special teams formed to crack the case, Mr Kannappan said some suspects were being interrogated.

''No arrest has been made so far,'' he said and added that the car in which Katheeja was allegedly abducted and murdered was also not seized.

''We are probing all angles and the investigation is on to ascertain the motive behind the killings,'' he said.

The former VC Malick Mohammed, a Padmashri award winner, was found murdered along with his security guard at his bungalow in Pattasaliyanvilai in Nagercoil a few days back. His wife Katheeja and the car owned by the slain VC was missing since then.

Meanwhile, police, quoting preliminary inquiries, said the murder was due to a property dispute and Mr Malick's relative was said to be behind the killings.

UNI