Fifteen years after a 17-year-old Dalit girl disappeared from Kanhangad, Kerala Crime Department confirmed that it was a murder and arrested the main defendant, Biju Paulose, 52, a 52-year-old, a civil contractor and motivational spokesperson for Panathur.
The case progressed after bone fragments and necklaces found near the Casaragold coast in 2010 and was recently identified as belonging to the missing girl. During the inquiry, Biju admitted to killing the girl.
The girl is a native of Balamthode in Kasaragod, who came to Kanhangad to attend a teacher training course and stayed in the hotel. She appeared in court for the last time on June 6, 2010. Her father filed a complaint about missing persons on January 19, 2011.
According to the Crime Department (CB), the defendant allegedly had a relationship with the girl, reportedly misrepresenting his marital status. The defendant reportedly lived with the girl in a rented house in Median in Canhand, pose for her brother. According to CB, Biju’s marital status is believed to have occurred before the alleged murder.
The case resumed after relocating to the High Court in 2021, seeking a thorough investigation. The CB investigation supervised by Police Inspector General P. Prakash was finally arrested in Wayanad on Friday night (May 16).
Biju has been booked and charged with rape and kidnapping under relevant parts of the SC/ST (Prevention of Abuse) Act. Prakash said in the media that if DNA tests confirm the identity of the body being recycled, the crime of murder will be increased.
The investigation was led by Mr. P. Prakash, and was headed by the Sheriff of Police Prajeesh Thottathil, Dysp Madhusoodhanan Nair, Inspector Sreekumar M.
publishing – May 17, 2025 at 08:38 pm IST
