Benny (63), who hit his elderly sister on the head with a hammer and buried her body following a dispute over her second marriage, was arrested on the fifth day. The suspected honour killing was reported from Alappuzha, Kerala. Police said Benny confessed to the crime.
Benny is accused of the murder of his sister Rosamma (61) in Mararikulam Poomkavu. She has been missing since last Thursday, 18 April. Benny said that Rosamma went to work when his relatives and locals inquired. But this matter was not reported to the police
Rosamma and Benny lived in neighbouring houses. When some relatives grew suspicious and were about to file a police complaint, Benny confessed to a relative about the murder on Monday morning.
When the police interrogated him, Benny admitted to burying Rosamma’s body in his backyard. Rosamma’s body was found at three in the evening after digging near the back door of the kitchen, where Benny had shown police. The accused explained to the police what had happened and the manner of the murder. The police said that the hammer used in the murder was found in the premises of the house.
Rosamma, who her first husband abandoned, has two children. Although she lives with her youngest son, Jomon, she spends most of her time at his house helping Benny. Meanwhile, Rosamma wanted to get married again. The marriage was arranged through a broker in Kainkari.
The wedding was also fixed for 1 May with a Champakulam native. Reportedly, some relatives were also against this marriage. Regardless, Rosamma accepted a gold necklace and ring for the wedding engagement. Benny told the police that the marital dispute led to the murder.
Benny is a mason. On the afternoon of the 18th, Benny, enraged by a verbal dispute over this, hit Rosamma on the head with a hammer and killed her. He dug a pit near his back door, lined it with bricks, dumped Rosamma’s body and covered it up.
A relative to whom Benny had confessed informed Alappuzha police. The accused was caught at a nearby tea shop. Rosamma’s body was shifted to Vandanam Medical College Hospital Mortuary.
“She is gone. Please save me. I made a mistake.’ Benny first told his brother’s daughter, Suja Ani, about killing Rosamma at 7 am on Monday. Ani is also a former panchayat member. Ani said Benny was trembling as he said it and added she was still shocked at Benny’s confession. She immediately informed the police.
After the murder, Benny behaved as usual and did all his household chores. Meanwhile, Rosamma and Benny’s relatives have told the police that there was a fight between them over the issue of pawning gold. Further details are awaited in what many allege is an honour killing.
