Kerala Woman Missing For 15 Years Found To Be Killed, Body Exhumed From Septic Tank

A woman missing over the last 15 years from Mannar in Alappuzha district of Kerala is suspected to have been murdered with her remains buried in the septic tank of her husband's house.

Alappuzha SP Chaithra Teresa John confirmed that Sreekala (Kala) who disappeared 15 years ago, was murdered. During a press conference, the SP revealed that they had found evidence supporting the murder, and police are primarily suspecting the involvement of the woman's husband, Anil Kumar, who is in Israel. The SP also stated that they are trying to bring Anil back to India.

Kala went missing in 2009 when she was 27. However, a missing person case was not reported at the time, said DPC John. Anil Kumar, who remarried and has children from both marriages, claimed that the deceased was having an affair and ran away, abandoning him and their child. But an anonymous letter sent to the local police invited this unexpected turn in her missing case.

According to the woman's family, she vacated her matrimonial and paternal homes after she was accused of having an affair by her husband's family. Although, reports do mention that the couple patched up later and even travelled together in a car to Kuttanad. During their trip, Anil is reported to have called five friends who murdered Kala in the car. The body was then dumped in the septic tank.

An officer said that the arrest of the five persons in current custody would be recorded soon.

Kala's sister-in-law told the media on Wednesday that Kala contacted her twice after she went missing. Kala also disclosed that she was living with a man at Palakkad.

"So, till now we believed that she was alive and well. Even now we are hoping so," the family said.