A dramatic search operation deep inside a forest near the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border has shed light on a mysterious disappearance that had baffled investigators for over three months. The decomposed body of Hemachandran (52), who went missing on March 20, 2024, was exhumed from Kappikkadu, a remote area near Chermabadi in Tamil Nadu, just 3 km from the Kerala border.
Originally from Sulthan Bathery, Hemachandran had been residing in Mundikkalthazham, Kozhikode, for over two decades. He was involved in money lending and had built a vast network in the local business community.
Police zeroed in on the burial site after interrogating two suspects — Panangad Jyothishkumar and Ajesh B S — who allegedly helped dispose of the body. The duo had reportedly moved the body through various locations before choosing the secluded marshland of Kappikkadu, hoping it would never be found.
More than 100 personnel from Kerala and Tamil Nadu police, revenue, and forest departments took part in the challenging operation, which lasted over four hours and was aided by sniffer dogs and metal detectors.
Kozhikode ACP A Umesh, who led the team, stated that the murder bore chilling resemblance to the plot of Malayalam film Drishyam, where a body remained hidden for years. However, he affirmed, “In real life, Kerala Police will be the heroes.”
A DNA test is pending to confirm the victim’s identity, with the postmortem scheduled at Ooty Government Medical College.
Hemachandran’s disappearance had left his wife anxious. Though his phone was intermittently active and showed signs of message reads, there was no voice response. Police say the accused tried to manipulate mobile data to mislead them into thinking Hemachandran was still alive and near a female friend’s house.
The investigation team used Call Data Records and surveillance of key contacts to track down the suspects and finally crack the case.