Elderly couple found murdered in Kottayam home; Police suspect personal enmity
Kottayam: A retired couple was found murdered in their residence at Thiruvathukkal near Kottayam city on Monday morning, in what police believe to be a case of personal enmity.
The deceased have been identified as Vijayakumar (64), owner of Indraprastha Auditorium, and his wife Meera (60). Their bodies were discovered in separate rooms with severe facial injuries by a domestic helper who arrived at the house and noticed the front door was open.
Police said that prima facie evidence suggests murder, as sharp weapons were found near the bodies. No signs of forced entry or theft have been observed, ruling out robbery as a motive.
According to sources, the couple lived alone. They had a son who passed away earlier, while their daughter currently resides abroad. A housekeeper was also employed at the residence.
Investigators are looking into the role of a former employee, a migrant worker with a criminal record who had previously been jailed for mobile theft and was dismissed due to alleged misconduct. Relatives have hinted at a possible personal grudge, which police are also exploring as a primary angle.
A special investigation team led by the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) has been constituted to probe the case further.
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Under 'Brand Bengaluru', 50 additional parks are being developed: Official
Bengaluru, May 17 (PTI): Under the 'Brand Bengaluru' initiative, 50 additional parks within the limits of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike are being developed and the rest are being upgraded, a senior official said on Saturday.
Speaking after inaugurating the "Bengaluru Habba" cultural programme held at Bugle Rock Park in the Basavanagudi, Special Commissioner of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Management, Preeti Gehlot, stated that the BBMP's Horticulture Department is continuously engaged in the maintenance of parks.
"There are 1,287 parks within BBMP limits, all of which are being equipped with seating arrangements for citizens, greenery, fencing, and other amenities. Upgradation work is ongoing across all existing parks. In addition, soak pits (Ingu Gundi) are being constructed in the parks to improve groundwater levels," she said in a statement.
To encourage people to spend more time enjoying the environment, all parks will remain open daily from 5 AM to 10 PM, she said.
She urged residents to help maintain cleanliness in their neighborhood parks and to promote awareness about keeping public spaces clean.
According to the statement, to enhance the park experience for visitors and morning walkers, a unique programme called "Bengaluru Habba" has been launched. It features traditional cultural performances, including Dollu Kunitha (folk drum dance), folk singing, light music, and performances by folk art troupes showcasing the city's heritage and artistic traditions.
"In each of the 27 Assembly constituencies under BBMP's limits, cultural and art-based programmes aimed at promoting children's creativity and public engagement will be conducted in one park per constituency, from now until March 2026," it said.
As part of the "Bengaluru Habba" celebrations, an awareness rally featuring cultural troupes was also organised from Ramakrishna Math Circle to Bugle Rock Park to raise public awareness, the statement added.
