The probe into the murder of Sakunthala, whose skeletal remains were found stuffed inside a concrete-filled barrel at Panangad earlier this year, has taken a new turn with the investigation now focusing on the financial transactions of those involved in the case.
The investigators have now found that Sakunthala had ₹2.8 lakh in her bank account while the primary banking details showed no major withdrawals. “The focus is now on to find whether the deceased or the accused had carried out any unaccounted transactions,” officials said.
Meanwhile, the police are now awaiting the court’s directive to conduct a polygraph test of Aswathi, daughter of the deceased.
“The petition was posted for a hearing on March 23 at the Principal Sessions Court for Aswathy to express her opinion on undergoing the test. The woman, however, is yet to accept a notice for the same and is likely to not appear in the court on Friday,” they said.
Aswathy had moved court seeking anticipatory bail a couple of days ago, though to no avail. The police had earlier collected her statement though they could not find evidence to link her with the murder.
According to the police, Sajith, the paramour of Aswathy, murdered her between September 19 and 24, 2016. Sakunthala used to threaten Sajith that she would reveal his illicit relationship with Aswathy to his wife and other relatives, leading to the murder.
The skeletal remains of Sakunthala were found stuffed inside a concrete-filled barrel at Panangad on January 8, 2018.
