Sri Vijaya Puram, October 5: Pahargaon Police have cracked the murder case of 37-year-old Julius Kerketta, whose body was recovered from a forested area near Tsunami Shelter-1 at Brookshabad on October 2, within 24 hours of registering the case.
Police said the case was solved through sustained investigation and systematic analysis of digital, CCTV, forensic and circumstantial evidence. A woman identified as Prem Sheela alias “Teli Aunty” has been identified as the prime suspect in the murder.
Julius Kerketta alias Vinod, son of Late Martin Kerketta and a resident of Tambu Bijan, Brookshabad, was reported missing after leaving his residence on October 1. His body was subsequently recovered from the jungle near Tsunami Shelter-1 on October 2.
Following the recovery, Pahargaon Police registered an FIR and constituted an investigation team to establish the circumstances leading to his death. Several persons connected with the deceased were questioned, while their movements and communications before the incident were examined.
According to police, detailed analysis of Call Detail Records (CDRs), along with extensive examination of CCTV footage along routes connecting the residences of the deceased, helped investigators identify a woman as the prime suspect.
Police said the CCTV footage was carefully correlated with CDRs, witness statements and other available evidence, helping investigators establish the sequence of events and the alleged involvement of Prem Sheela alias “Teli Aunty” in the murder.
During sustained questioning, the prime suspect allegedly disclosed her involvement in the death of Julius, police said.
The development marks a shift from the initial uncertainty surrounding the case. Julius’s family had earlier suspected foul play after his body was found with visible injuries on his hands and legs. At that stage, police had begun examining whether the injuries were connected to his death.
The police statement did not disclose the alleged motive, the precise manner in which the death occurred or other details of the alleged offence. These aspects are expected to be established as the investigation progresses and medical and forensic findings are examined.
The investigation team comprised Inspector Sahil Shamsuddin, SHO, Police Station Pahargaon; SI Siva Kumar, Investigating Officer; SIs Ashwani, Goutham and Nirmala; ASIs Ajay Anand and Mohan Yadav; Head Constables Simachalam, Jairaj, Rahul Kumar Maurya, Santosh Lal, Sini Raju and Sangeeta Dung Dung; and Police Constables Shahid, Samsudeen and Gafoor.
The investigation is expected to continue in the coming days, with police set to reconstruct the crime scene to further establish the sequence of events leading to Julius’s death. Investigators are also expected to consolidate the forensic, digital, CCTV and circumstantial evidence gathered during the probe.
The chargesheet is expected to be filed after completion of the investigation and compilation of the necessary evidence and findings, police said.
The case had initially raised concern after Julius went missing from his residence and was later found dead in a forested area. The identification of a prime suspect within 24 hours has now provided investigators with a direction to establish the circumstances and motive behind the alleged killing.
Police said the case was worked out following the directions of the Lt. Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands regarding zero tolerance against crime and criminals.
