Stephan Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod

Kasargod, Jun 14: What initially appeared to be a tragic road accident in Wayanad has now taken a shocking turn, with police confirming it was a deliberate act of murder. As a result, five individuals from Kasargod, including a minor, have been arrested in connection with the death of a 71-year-old woman.

The deceased has been identified as Beefathimma, wife of Ibrahim from Nellimundam Kalappura. She died after a Bolero jeep allegedly rammed into the scooter she was riding pillion on, near Meppadi in Wayanad on June 8 at around 11 am. She was traveling with her grandson Afnan when the incident occurred.

The arrested accused

Beefathimma

According to Meppadi police, the incident began with an altercation between the scooter riders and the occupants of the Bolero jeep over giving way. After the brief confrontation, the jeep reportedly pursued the scooter for a short distance before deliberately ramming into it. The impact threw Beefathimma off the road, resulting in her death, while Afnan sustained serious injuries.

Initially registered as an unnatural death, the case took a significant turn when Afnan provided a statement to the police after recovering in the hospital. Based on his testimony and further investigation—including CCTV footage and statements from eyewitnesses and local drivers—police concluded that the collision was intentional.

The arrested have been identified as Akhil (28) of Perumbala, Prashanth (21) of Aramanganad, Nidhi Narayanan (20) of Perumbala, Nithin (22) of Chavakkad in Perumbala, and a 17-year-old boy. Akhil, who was driving the jeep, was the first to be taken into custody and questioned. His interrogation, along with other evidence, confirmed the murder charges.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing the jeep chasing the scooter, and police have now confirmed that this was not an accident but a planned act of violence. All five accused are currently in police custody as investigations continue.