Akhil told the police that Athira’s body was thrown among the rocks after she was strangled with her shawl in the forest adjoining the road at Thumboormuzhi.

Akhil told the police that Athira’s body was thrown among the rocks after she was strangled with her shawl in the forest adjoining the road at Thumboormuzhi.

Akhil told the police that Athira’s body was thrown among the rocks after she was strangled with her shawl in the forest adjoining the road at Thumboormuzhi.

Thrissur: One person was arrested over the murder of a young woman in a forested area near the popular tourist destination of Athirappilly in Kerala's Thrissur district.

The dead body of Athira, a native of Parakkadavu in Angamaly, was found in the Thumboormuzhi forest, near Athirappilly, the other day. Her friend Akhil P Balachandran, from Vellathooval in Idukki district, was arrested in connection with the murder.

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During the interrogation, Akhil told the police that Athira’s body was thrown among the rocks after she was strangled with her shawl in the forest adjoining the road at Thumboormuzhi. Police personnel who visited the scene of crime on Friday morning, based on Akhil's confession, found the body.

Akhil is a popular personality on social media. He often used to post reels on Instagram under the profile of ‘Akhilettan’. He has about 11,000 followers at present.

Police said an extra-marital relationship between the two had led to the murder. Akhil admitted the pair was in a close relatioship for the past six months.

The duo were working in a supermarket in Angamaly. Both were married and living with their spouses, and had children.

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Financial trap
According to the police, Akhil had borrowed money by pledging 12 sovereigns of Athira’s jewellery. Athira had repeatedly demanded the gold back but Akhil used to be evasive. Akhil committed the murder, police said, when Athira began persistently demanding the return of the gold.

Probe commenced with 'missing' complaint
Athira had gone missing on April 29. A complaint was filed by Athira’s husband, Sanal Kalady, stating that his wife had been missing since April 29. The Kalady police registered a case on the basis of the petition. When CCTV visuals were examined, it was found that Athira had boarded a car along with Akhil. When the police called the owner of the vehicle based on the registration number, they were told that it was a car rental service and that the vehicle had been rented out to Akhil.

Following this, Akhil was taken into police custody and questioned but he denied all the charges. Even though he was questioned multiple times, he stood by his version of events; that he did not have anything to do with Athira. According to the cops who questioned Akhil, when asked why he had taken leave from the supermarket, he lied. Further on, after details of the phone calls between the two were obtained, the police subjected Akhil to a detailed interrogation.

Akhil admitted to committing the crime during further questioning.

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What happened on the fateful day
Akhil persuaded Athira to take leave from the super market where the duo were working. Both headed to Ahtirappily in a rented car thereafter; Akhil had told her they were going on a picnic to Athirappilly. Athira was assured she would be dropped back home by evening.

Akhil asked Athira not to carry her phone with her; this was proof of the conspiracy to commit the murder, police stated.

Akhil had switched off his phone
After reaching Thumboormuzhi, he took Athira to a deserted place in the forest persuading her to take a walk. Akhil then strangled Athira using her shawl. When Athira fell to the ground in the melee, he pressed her down with his boot to ensure her death.