
Tue Feb 24 19:48:27 UTC 2026: # Retired High Court Employee Arrested in Vyttila Murder Case
The Story:
On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the Maradu police arrested Shaji K.V., 63, a retired High Court employee from Ponnurunni, in connection with the murder of Sudha Baby, 45, from Chingavanam, Kottayam. The victim’s body was discovered near a disused railway track at Vyttila in the early hours of the morning. Police were able to quickly identify the victim and trace the suspect using her mobile phone, which was found near the body.
CCTV footage played a crucial role in the investigation. It showed Shaji and Sudha walking together towards the location where the body was found. Subsequent footage captured Shaji leaving the scene alone, with visible bloodstains on his body, according to police reports.
Key Points:
- Date of Arrest: February 24, 2026.
- Location: Vyttila, Kochi.
- Accused: Shaji K.V., 63, retired High Court employee from Ponnurunni.
- Victim: Sudha Baby, 45, from Chingavanam, Kottayam.
- Key Evidence: Victim’s mobile phone, CCTV footage showing the accused and victim together, and the accused leaving the scene with bloodstains.
Key Takeaways:
- The rapid identification of the victim and apprehension of the suspect highlight the increasing effectiveness of forensic technology (mobile phone tracing, CCTV footage analysis) in criminal investigations.
- The crime appears to be a case of personal violence, given the lack of immediate information suggesting other motives.
- The arrest underscores the continued occurrence of violent crime, even among seemingly ordinary individuals (a retired High Court employee).