Kerala Murder Suspect Arrested After 13-Year Manhunt in Bengaluru
In a significant breakthrough, Malappuram police have arrested a man who had been evading authorities for over a decade after being released on bail in a gruesome murder case. The suspect, Mohammed Shareef (46) from Areekode, was apprehended in Bengaluru, bringing a long-running manhunt to a close.
Details of the 2013 Triple Murder Case
The case dates back to July 22, 2013, when Shareef allegedly murdered his wife Sabira (21) and their two young daughters, Fathima Fida (5) and Haifa alias Fathima Hida (1). According to police reports, the horrific incident occurred while the family was returning home on a two-wheeler after purchasing new clothes. Shareef is accused of pushing his wife and children into a waterlogged area, leading to their deaths.
Primary Motives Behind the Crime
Investigators have identified two primary motives for the murders. First, Shareef resented his wife's repeated demands for the return of 50 sovereigns of gold jewellery. This gold was part of the 75 sovereigns received as dowry, which he had sold without her knowledge. Second, Shareef desired to remarry and allegedly considered his two daughters a liability in acquiring more gold and money from a potential new marriage.
The investigation was led by S Abhilash, the then Superintendent of Police of Malappuram, and V A Krishnadas, the then Circle Inspector of Manjeri. Despite lacking eyewitnesses, the case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence gathered through meticulous police work.
- The investigation team questioned 123 individuals and submitted 106 documents along with approximately 50 pieces of evidence to the court.
- Forensic reports, meteorological data from Thiruvananthapuram, public works department route maps, and motor vehicle department reports were all included in the charge sheet.
- Notable inconsistencies in Shareef's account included his claim that a bike tyre puncture caused the accident, which was proven false, and his decision to undertake a long journey with his family on a bike despite owning a car.
- Investigators determined he took a circuitous route to find a suitable location to commit the crime.
- Just days before the murders, Shareef had taken a 20 lakh rupee insurance policy in his wife's name, nominating himself as the beneficiary.
Judicial Proceedings and Escape
Shareef was presented before the Manjeri additional district sessions court (2), which remanded him to judicial custody following his arrest. The case had faced significant judicial scrutiny, with the High Court expressing dissatisfaction over delays in framing charges. In response to a petition filed by Sabira's father, the High Court ordered the lower court to resolve the case within six months.
Charges were finally framed against Shareef in March 2015, with the trial scheduled to begin on April 22 of that year. However, the accused absconded without appearing for the trial, initiating a 13-year period during which he remained at large until his recent capture in Bengaluru.
