THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Amid the mystery surrounding the death of three Keralites in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday, police have come across materials and statements strengthening doubts that the trio was into occultism.
The bodies of couple Naveen Thomas, 39, and Devi Madhavan, 39, and their friend Arya Nair from Thiruvananthapuram were found with cut marks on their wrists at a hotel in Arunachal’s Hapoli.
Arunachal police officials, who were alerted by their Kerala counterparts about the trio’s possible link to a cult, have recovered the women’s bracelets adorned with black stones, believed to be part of the paraphernalia used for occult activities, from the room.
Three stainless steel razor blades used to make the cuts on the bodies have also been recovered. Use of separate blades has lent credence to the theory that the cuts were made as part of some occult ceremony.
The statement by Arya’s family that Naveen prompted her to join a cult have also strengthened police’s doubts.
Meanwhile, Kerala police have announced formation of special teams to probe the incident.
At the same time, the Arunachal police have started scrutinising CCTV visuals from the hotel, where the three were staying, as well as from Ziro, a town two-and-a-half hours drive from Arunachal’s capital Itanagar.
“The visuals are being checked to ascertain whether the duo had any local contacts. Prima facie, it doesn’t seem like they did. We are trying to identify the taxi driver, who dropped them off at the hotel, to check whether they communicated with anyone on the way,” Ziro SP Keni Bagra told TNIE.
Death leaves former colleagues shocked
The trio’s death has shocked the people who knew them as colleagues and friends. Devi taught German at a private school in the state capital and Arya was a French teacher in the school. Their ex-colleagues say both Devi and Arya were extremely good teachers and always active with their work
Naveen prompted arya to join a cult, claim relatives
“Ziro is sparsely populated and mostly inhabited by tribal communities who do not have any connection with cult groups. If there was even a hint of such activities, we would come to know of it. We are yet to ascertain why the trio came this far. It’s perplexing us,” Keni said.
Keni said it is assumed Naveen made the cuts on the women’s body and then slit his wrist. The forensic surgeon who conducted the autopsy said the wounds on the women’s body were deep and could be inflicted by someone having expertise.
The officer said the key to Naveen’s car, a suicide note signed by the trio and Naveen’s emotional note to his mother in English, informing her of his decision to end his life, were also recovered from the room, as were two phones and a laptop.
Arya’s family alleged Naveen prompted her to join a cult. The online group dealt with paraphysics.
“Naveen could have trapped her into occultism. Arya maintained a close friendship with Naveen and Devi and they used to meet regularly, including in their houses,” said a relative adding that Arya’s marriage was scheduled to take place later this month.