Couple Found Dead in Akkulam Residence; Police Suspect Murder-Suicide Over Gold Dispute
In a tragic incident, a couple was discovered dead under suspicious circumstances inside their residence near Akkulam on Friday. The police suspect that the man, identified as Raghunathan Nair (64), died by suicide after assaulting the woman, Pushpa (57). The bodies were found after relatives noticed a foul smell emanating from the house, alerting authorities.
Details of the Deceased and Initial Findings
The deceased were identified as Raghunathan Nair, a retired Border Security Force (BSF) officer, and Pushpa. According to police reports, Raghunathan was found hanging in the kitchen, while Pushpa's body was discovered lying on the floor. Initial investigations indicate that Raghunathan may have assaulted and killed Pushpa before taking his own life.
Background of the Incident and Possible Motive
Police revealed that the couple had lent approximately 24 sovereigns of gold to a relative, which was not returned. This unresolved issue led to frequent heated arguments between them. On the day of the incident, an argument over the gold loan escalated into violence. Raghunathan is suspected to have pushed Pushpa during the altercation, resulting in her sustaining broken ribs, as confirmed by the postmortem report.
Timeline and Discovery of the Bodies
Authorities suspect that the deaths occurred around five days prior to the discovery. The incident came to light after relatives, concerned by a foul smell, alerted the Medical College police. A police team arrived at the scene around 9 PM on Friday, conducted inquest proceedings, and shifted the bodies to the Medical College Hospital (MCH) mortuary for further examination.
Personal Background and Police Investigation
Pushpa had been living with Raghunathan for the past few years after separating from her husband. Her adopted son had reportedly attempted to contact her over the phone on Sunday, but she did not respond. The continued lack of communication raised concerns among relatives, prompting them to check on the couple. Police have registered a case of unnatural death and initiated a thorough investigation to uncover more details surrounding this distressing event.
