Idukki Family Fire Tragedy: Case Transferred to Crime Branch After Nine-Month Investigation Stalemate
The perplexing case of four family members who perished in a devastating house fire in Idukki district has been officially handed over to the crime branch, following a nine-month investigation by local police that failed to yield any significant breakthroughs. This decision comes amid mounting pressure from a local action council demanding a comprehensive and transparent probe into the tragic incident that occurred in Kombodinjal near Adimali.
The Tragic Incident and Initial Investigation
The heartbreaking tragedy unfolded on May 9 last year when a fire engulfed the family home at Thellippadavu, claiming the lives of Subha (38), her mother Ponnamma (75), and her two young children Abhinand (9) and Abhinav (5). Subha was the wife of Anish, who had previously died from Covid-19 in 2021. The bodies were discovered in a fully charred state, with younger child Abhinav found in the kitchen area and the other three victims recovered from separate bedrooms.
Initial police suspicions pointed toward an electrical short circuit as the probable cause of the fire. However, this theory was subsequently ruled out by a preliminary report from the district electrical inspection department, adding to the mystery surrounding the incident. Workers engaged in timber work nearby reported hearing an explosion-like sound during the night of the fire, further complicating the investigation.
Investigation Challenges and Forensic Examination
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Idukki DySP Jinsen Mathew conducted an extensive eight-month probe into the case, which was originally registered at the Vellathooval police station. Despite their efforts, the investigation team failed to uncover any conclusive evidence or leads. The police seized multiple electronic devices, including a neighbor's laptop and various mobile phones, which were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Thiruvananthapuram for detailed examination.
Investigators took a neighbor into custody for questioning, but this interrogation failed to provide any substantial leads. Preliminary findings indicated that the deceased family had no known enmity with anyone in the community. Adding to the investigation's challenges, DySP Jinsen Mathew received a promotion and was transferred from the case during this period.
Multiple Investigation Angles and Community Concerns
Investigators are currently exploring multiple angles, including the possibilities of both suicide and murder by arson. Chemical analysis reports have indicated the presence of a substance reportedly used by the forest department, though the significance of this finding remains unclear. Konnathady Grama Panchayat President Ramya Raneesh raised immediate doubts about the incident, lodging a written complaint with police the day after the fire and suspecting foul play.
Action council representatives—Anil Vilakkunnel, Vinod Karukappillil, and Subha's brother Girish—have urged authorities to focus the investigation on relatives of Subha's late husband Anish. They have called for expedited inquiry procedures, citing concerning circumstances following Anish's death. "Following the death of Anish, there were attempts to evict Subha and their children from their house. The family's car also was sold without Subha's consent," revealed Girish, highlighting potential motives that warrant investigation.
Official Confirmation and Community Response
Idukki Superintendent of Police K M Sabu Mathew confirmed the decision to transfer the case to the crime branch. "The probe has been entrusted to crime branch DySP Joy Mathew. He will formally take over the case soon," Mathew stated, acknowledging the need for specialized investigative expertise.
In response to perceived slackness in the investigation, the action council has called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal (strike) in Konnathady Grama Panchayat on Friday. This protest is expected to disrupt normal life significantly, with shops and establishments likely to remain closed throughout the day as community members express their frustration with the pace and progress of the investigation.
The case now rests with crime branch DySP Joy Mathew, who faces the challenging task of unraveling a mystery that has confounded investigators for nine months, while providing answers to a grieving community and justice for the deceased family members.
