Kochi : The Magistrate Court in Ernakulam sent three accused in gruesome Elanthoor double murders to 14-day judicial custody. Transported to Kakkanad subjail as per the ruling are Perumbavoor naitve Mohammed Shafi aka Rasheed(52) a renter in Kochi’s Gandhi Nagar, EWS North End Block; Kadakampilliyil Bhagawal Singh(70) a ayurveda practitioner residing in Elanthoor’s Pulinthitta and wife Laila(61).
Backdrop : Shafi connected with the Elanthoor couple on Facebook using fake profile where he posed as Sreedevi. According to culprit testimonies , “Sreedevi” lured the couple to perform ‘human sacrifice’ to earn themselves luck and fortune. The couple agreed and waited for “Sreedevi” to arrange the prey.
Shafi meanwhile convinced 56-year-old Padmam, a Tamil native who sells lottery for a living, to go with him for unconfirmed reasons. Once at Bhagwal’s house, Shafi posed as man sent by “Sreedevi”, had sex with Laila in full view of her husband and then handed Padmam for sadistic torture at hands of Laila who stabbed the victim at different places including private parts. Padmam eventually died and the trio cut her body into pieces and buried her wrapped in a cloth close to their home.
The couple reportedly failed to find luck from “sacrifice” and Shaji suggested a second sacrifice.
Thus came in the next victim - 49-year-old Roslyn who too was persuaded by Shaji and was subject to tortured death the couple’s Elanthoor home.
It was missing complaint lodged by Padmam’s son and later one filed by Roslyn’s sister for their loved ones, that led police to unearth the murders, which, based on culprits’ account is considered to be ‘human sacrifice’ killings.
