Year-Long Planning by Chathannoor Family Led to Abduction of Abigel Sara Reji: Investigation Reveals Financial Crisis as Motive

Accident – Death – Obituary News : The abduction case of six-year-old Abigel Sara Reji from Oyoor, which caused panic and fear throughout the state of Kerala, has finally been solved. The police investigation revealed that the abduction was the result of a year-long planning by Chathannoor resident K R Padmakumar and his family. The motive behind the crime was financial crisis, as Padmakumar had a debt of around Rs 2.5 crore and needed Rs 10 lakh urgently to settle a loan.

The police were able to track down the suspects, Padmakumar, his wife M R Anitha Kumari, and their daughter Anupama, 96 hours after Abigel’s abduction. The family was taken into custody from Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu. After extensive interrogation, their arrest was recorded at the Pooyappally police station and they were produced before the court. They have been remanded in judicial custody until December 15, with Padmakumar held in the Thiruvananthapuram Central Jail and the other two in Attakkulangara women’s jail.

According to the police, Anitha Kumari was the mastermind behind the crime. Padmakumar is a businessman and computer science engineer, while Anupama is a YouTuber. The investigation team was able to track down the family through cyber-analysis of social media platforms, sketches based on Abigel’s statements, and an audio clip of Anitha Kumari demanding a ransom of Rs 10 lakh. The police also seized their white and blue sedans from their home in Chathannoor.

The planning for the abduction had been ongoing for a year, with the family dropping the plan multiple times before finally deciding to execute it in the past one-and-a-half months. They meticulously gathered details from movies and news, influenced by individuals involved in similar crimes for financial gain. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Padmakumar faced severe financial crisis with a debt of Rs 2.5 crore. Despite having assets in his name, they were all mortgaged. Over the past one-and-a-half months, the family surveyed isolated areas in Kollam district, targeting easily vulnerable children. They recreated Abigel’s home surroundings and learned about her and her tuition timings. Previous attempts to kidnap her had failed as her mother and grandmother used to accompany her from tuition class.

On November 27, at around 4:13 pm, the family found a favorable situation as Abigel was unaccompanied by any adult. Their plan was to kidnap her and leave a ransom note with her elder brother, Jonathan. However, during a scuffle with Jonathan, the note fell inside the car and was later burned. The family took Abigel to their home in Chathannoor, while Anitha and Padmakumar went to Parippally in their car. They then took an autorickshaw to a grocery shop, from where Anitha made the ransom call to Abigel’s mother. Inside the car, when Abigel screamed, the family sedated her. When she woke up, they collected her mother’s phone number and went to Parippally in the autorickshaw. They only contacted the family once to demand the ransom of Rs 10 lakh. When the news of the abduction made headlines, they abandoned Abigel near Asramam Maidan in Kollam. Anitha Kumari dropped her off and confirmed that passing students noticed the child. After that, the family went to Tenkasi.

The arrest and subsequent revelations have shocked the entire state, leaving many unanswered questions about why this particular family was targeted. The police investigation has provided some clarity on the motive, but further details are yet to be uncovered. The case serves as a reminder of the lengths some individuals are willing to go due to financial desperation, and the importance of ensuring the safety and security of children in our society..