Kerala: Two former soldiers arrested for triple murder of mother, twins after 19 years

Kerela News: Two former soldiers, Dibil Kumar B and Rajesh P, have been apprehended by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after nearly two decades evading justice for the brutal murder of Ranjini, a 24-year-old woman, and her 17-day-old twin daughters in Kerala. This heinous crime, which took place on February 10, 2006, was driven by fears that a court-mandated paternity test would confirm Kumar as the father of the twins.

Background of the Crime

Ranjini, an unwed mother, sought assistance from the Kerala State Women’s Commission after Kumar, who served in the Army’s 45 AD Regiment in Pathankot, abandoned her following the birth of their children. Alarmed by the impending paternity test, Kumar allegedly plotted with Rajesh, a fellow soldier, to eliminate Ranjini.

Rajesh had ingratiated himself with Ranjini and her mother under the guise of mediating between them and Kumar. However, investigators later uncovered his involvement in the murder scheme.The grim discovery occurred when Ranjini’s mother returned to their rented home in Yeram, near Anchal in Kollam district, only to find her daughter and granddaughters lifeless.

Manhunt and Evasion

Following this horrific incident, both Kumar and Rajesh deserted their military duties in March 2006 and disappeared. Despite a police reward of ₹2 lakh and the case being transferred to the CBI in 2010, they managed to evade capture for years.

Investigations revealed that they had assumed false identities and started new lives in Puducherry.Using forged documents, including Aadhaar cards, they married local teachers and fathered children. Their elaborate deception came to an end when the CBI received a tip-off regarding their location. After conducting surveillance operations, the CBI’s Chennai unit arrested them on Friday.

Legal Proceedings

The accused were presented before the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on Saturday and have been remanded into police custody until January 18. The CBI is expected to request further custody to facilitate ongoing investigations.

Their arrests represent a significant breakthrough in a nearly two-decade-long quest for justice in one of Kerala’s most notorious murder cases.This chilling case underscores the complexities of domestic violence and the lengths individuals may go to escape accountability for their actions.