Chit fund operator’s murder unearthed: 3 months after disappearance, DNA test pending

KOZHIKODE — In a chilling crime that unfolded across state borders, police have exhumed the decomposed body of Hemachandran (53), a small-time chit fund operator from Sulthan Bathery, brutally murdered and buried in Cherambadi forest, Tamil Nadu. The remains were recovered on June 28, 2025, over three months after his disappearance, and brought to Kozhikode Medical College for DNA confirmation and formal identification.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Arun K Pavithran confirmed that multiple individuals are involved in the murder, including two women. The prime suspect, Noushad, is currently in Saudi Arabia, and a lookout notice has been issued. “We expect to identify all those involved within three days,” the DCP said at a press conference.

Hemachandran vanished on March 20, 2024, after being lured to the Kozhikode Medical College area by a woman accomplice under the pretext of a financial deal. Initially suspected of going underground due to monetary issues, his case took a darker turn when financial trails and mobile records pointed to a premeditated crime.

Police say Hemachandran was taken to an unoccupied house in Sulthan Bathery, where he was tortured and killed. His body was buried in a shallow pit inside the TANTEA plantation area in Cherambadi. The breakthrough came when accused Jyotish Kumar (32) and Ajesh B S (27) from Sulthan Bathery confessed during interrogation.

The exhumation operation, led by ACP A Umesh and Inspector P K Jijeesh, took over six hours and involved forest, revenue, and Tamil Nadu police departments. A postmortem at Ooty Medical College confirmed death from grievous injuries.

Noushad, believed to be the mastermind, had reportedly used the woman from Kannur to lure Hemachandran. He is expected to be repatriated by early July. Police are also probing vehicle thefts and black money transactions potentially linked to the murder. “We suspect a wider criminal network,” said Inspector Jijeesh, hinting at more arrests.

Local residents in Bathery, near the crime scene, said they were unaware. The house used for the murder had reportedly been shown to prospective buyers and temporarily occupied.

Timeline of Events:

• March 20, 2024: Hemachandran goes missing from Mayanad, Kozhikode