Kerala: 15 years on, cops find missing woman was killed; 5 held

KOTTAYAM: A woman who had gone missing from Mannar, Alappuzha, over 15 years ago was murdered by her husband and his associates and buried in a septic tank, police said. Police on Tuesday searched three septic tanks in the husband's house compound and recovered objects suspected to be remains of the body. The objects have been sent for forensic examination.
Kala (22), daughter of late Chellappan and late Chandrika, hailing from Eramathoor in Chennithala-Thripperumthura panchayat had gone missing in 2009.Alappuzha district police chief Chaitra Teresa John said Kala was murdered and her husband Anilkumar was the prime suspect. Five men, known to Anilkumar, are in police custody, she said, adding that an FIR has been registered in the case. "Anilkumar is in Israel now and we are trying to bring him back... Personal issues led to the murder," she said.
Though we have got evidence, it can be confirmed only after a forensic test. The arrest of those in custody will be recorded soon,” said Alappuzha SP Chaitra Teresa John. Residents and neighbours were shocked when mud excavators were brought to the house by Tuesday noon and the septic tanks were searched. It was based on statements of those in custody — Somarajan, Santhosh, Jinu Rajan, Pramod and Suresh — that the search was conducted. Police also brought Jinu to the house for the search operation.
The arrest of one of these persons in another case a few months ago had led to the investigation. Police then received an anonymous letter saying that Kala was murdered and the arrested person was among those involved. There are also reports that one among them had boasted about murdering Kala to his friends during adrinking session.
Ambalappuzha police formed a special team to probe the case following the revelation. Anilkumar and Kala had tied the knot after falling in love. Since they belonged to different castes, his family was initially reluctant to accept Kala. The family accepted her later and he went to South Africa for work. Problems cropped up between