Arrest made in Sakthikulangara skeletal remains case

Arrest made in Sakthikulangara skeletal remains case left Representational image only. File Getty Images/iStockphoto Getty Images/iStockphoto D-Keine Handcuffs on dark background The gruesome incident came to light on September 30 when workers cleaning the harbor's septic tank found decomposed remains concealed beneath a mat KOLLAM: A young man has been arrested by the Sakthikulangara Police for murdering a 55-year-old man who was entrusted with collecting fees at the harbour toilet block and dumping his body in the septic tank.

The victim, Nizar, a native of Kottukadu, Chavara, was reported missing since August 6, 2026. The gruesome incident came to light on September 30 when workers cleaning the harbour's septic tank found decomposed remains concealed in a mat. Harbour officials promptly alerted the Sakthikulangara police, who conducted preliminary inspections, registered a case, and completed inquest procedures.

An autopsy performed at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital subsequently confirmed the death was a homicide. Investigators identified the victim as Nizar after relatives confirmed that the clothes and items found with the remains belonged to him. To scientifically verify his identity, authorities collected blood samples from relatives and sent them for DNA profiling to the Forensic Department.

Expanding their probe, the police scrutinised CCTV footage from the harbour and gathered details from local shop owners, room tenants, and harbour workers. The investigation revealed that Shyam Jith, alias Jithu, a native of Kottiyam who had been working at the harbour for the past two-and-a-half years under the toilet block contractor, had abruptly left his job on August 24. Acting on these clues, a police team led by Kollam West Inspector Vipin took the suspect into custody and interrogated him, leading to his confession.

According to the police, the murder was triggered by a dispute after Nizar verbally abused the suspect inside the toilet block. Enraged, the accused beat Nizar with his hands and struck him on the headwith an iron pipe, killing him. After ensuring Nizar was dead, the accused wrapped the body in a mat, tied the legs together, and forced open the concrete lid of the adjacent septic tank using a metal rod beforedumped the body inside a septic tank.

The arrest was made by a special police team under the supervision of Kollam ACP Shaji and Inspector Vipin, consisting of Sakthikulangara SHO Aneesh Kumar, SIs Ajith and Santhosh Kumar, SCPOs Ajith and Sujith, and CPO Reeja.