Alappuzha: The policeman accused of killing a woman civil police officer (CPO) by setting her ablaze at Vallikunnam in Kerala's Alappuzha district on Saturday had meticulously plotted the crime and carried two cans of petrol with him, it has emerged.

The police suspect that N A Ajaz had reached Vallikunnam on Saturday with the sole intention of killing 34-year-old Soumya Pushpakaran and had found out the location of her house.

Ajaz, a cop with traffic police station in Aluva, was aware that Soumya would write the PSC exam and would later go for duty.

After writing the PSC test for university assistant at Thazhava AVHS, Soumya returned by 4pm. When she left for duty on her scooter, Ajaz, who was waiting for her in the car, knocked her down. Soumya who recognised Ajaz tried to flee from the spot and ran towards her neighbour Musthafa's house. Armed with a knife and machete, Ajaz followed her and hacked her in front of the neighbour's house.

When she tried to run again, Ajaz stabbed her with the knife. As Soumya fell on to the ground, Ajaz went back to the car, got the petrol can and lighter, and set her ablaze. As the flames spread, Ajaz also suffered burns and he ran towards a water tap and sat underneath it.

Hearing the ruckus, the local people rushed towards the site but Soumya died soon. People, however, did not let Ajaz escape and informed the police. Ajaz, who was taken into custody, was admitted to the hospital.

Soumya's body was moved to the mortuary after inquest.

Ajaz’ arrest has not been recorded. Though the magistrate reached the hospital, he was not able to take Ajaz’ statements on Saturday. The officers would attempt to take his statements again on Sunday.

Ajaz was the training inspector of Soumya's batch, when she joined the force five years ago. The police suspected that Ajaz resorted to the chilling murder after Soumya rebuffed his advances. Soumya had informed her son that Ajaz was troubling her, it was said.

Custom-made weapons?

The police also suspect that the weapons with Ajaz were specifically made for the crime. The knife was longer than the ones found in the market, the machete was also sharp and really long. It is suspected that he had bought the machete from Ernakulam.

The car had two cans of petrol, and two cigarette lighters, a clear indication that he had planned the mode of murder. He probably had two sets of petrol can and lighter to ensure that the crime was committed, even if one set was lost.

Aloof character

Ajaz was posted at the Aluva town traffic station on July 1, 2018. He was shifted from Kalamassery AR camp to local beat. Though he had been working there for a year, he was reportedly not friendly with his colleagues nor did he join in any playful banter with them.

Even the senior officers are of the opinion that Ajaz did not have the discipline needed for a police personnel.

A native of Vazhakala at Kakkanad south in Ernakulam district, 33-year-old Ajaz was unmarried. When he was asked about his wedding plans, Ajaz said that he had to first conduct his sister's remarriage.

He had last week taken leave for 15 days, saying he had some works going on at his house. However, it was suspected that he was stalking Soumya.

The bloody trail of vengeance

Six similar instances of murder or murder attempts on women have been reported in Kerala in the past four months. The latest being the chilling murder of the CPO in Alappuzha.

May 31, 2019: Pushpalata, 39, a nursing assistant at SAT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, was stabbed by former ambulance driver Nidhin of Kollam after she rejected his marriage proposal. The right ear of the Chengannur native was partially severed in the attack.

May 28, 2019: In Meenadam in Kottayam a man tried to murder a woman after she ended their friendship. He entered her house and tried to smother her with a pillow.

April 4, 2019: An engineering student Neethu, 22, of Thrissur was killed by her friend Nidheesh, a resident of Vadakkekad. She was hacked and then set ablaze after she rejected his marriage proposal.

March 14, 2019: Palakkad native Manu, 24, tried to set a woman ablaze at Panampilly Nagar in Kochi after she rejected his overtures. The youth who fled to Abu Dhabi was arrested after a month.

March 13, 2019: A girl student was stabbed and set on fire by 18-year-old Ajin Reji Mathew after she backed off from their relationship. The incident happened in broad daylight at Thiruvalla town. The girl later succumbed to her injuries.