KOCHI: In an alleged crime of passion, a youth shot dead a 24-year-old woman, a dental house surgeon, before killing himself at Nellikuzhi in Kothamangalam here on Friday afternoon.
The woman has been identified as Manasa, daughter of Madhavan of Narath, Kannur. Rakhil P (32), who shot the woman, is reportedly a spurned lover. He is the son of Reghuthaman of Meloor Palayad, also in Kannur.
Manasa was staying on rent at this house in Kothamangalam
The incident happened around 3.30 pm at the house where Manasa was staying on rent with three other women. She was shot at least twice, on her head and chest. The youth had a single gunshot wound on his head.
Manasa was staying on the first floor of a house near the Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences in Nellikuzhi, Kothamangalam, where she was doing her house surgeoncy. Rakhil had barged into the house in the afternoon, leading to an argument.
He took the woman to a room in the house while her roommates tried to get the help of the house owner. They heard loud noises from the room, which later turned out to be gunshots. The two were found in a pool of blood and both of them were pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Police said the two had met through Instagram and knew each other for at least a year. Sources said the woman's family had approached Kannur police and complained about Rakhil, following which a meeting was held at Kannur ACP office on July 5.
Country-made pistol used
They were apparently in a relationship and the woman didn’t want to continue it. The family wanted him to stop his advances but did not want to press any charge. In the meeting, the youth was told that the woman would proceed legally if he continues to make contact with her. He had then promised to leave her alone,” a Kannur police officer said.
A country-made pistol is believed to have been used for the crime. District police chief (Ernakulam Rural) K Karthick, who visited the crime scene, said a special investigation team would be formed to probe the case. “It looks like a pistol. A ballistic examination of the weapon will be held on Saturday. The source of weapon should also be probed," he said.
Police said Rakhil had come to Kothamangalam nearly a month ago and was staying on rent on the pretext of working here. The autopsies will be held on Saturday.
