New Year’s Eve, 2007. Families across Kerala were preparing for celebrations, but in Malappuram a daring gang was drilling through eight inches of reinforced concrete into the South Malabar Gramin Bank.

By morning, 80 kilos of gold and lakhs in cash had vanished. No fingerprints, no footprints—just a note saying, “Jai Maoist.” What followed was an investigation into one of Kerala’s boldest heists, which gripped the state.

This episode of Kerala Crime Files revisits the Chelembra bank robbery that stunned Kerala and rewrote the history of crime in the state.

New Year&rsquo;s Eve, 2007. Families across Kerala were preparing for celebrations, but in Malappuram a daring gang was drilling through eight inches of reinforced concrete into the South Malabar Gramin Bank.
By morning, 80 kilos of gold and lakhs in cash had vanished. No fingerprints, no footprints&mdash;just a note saying, &ldquo;Jai Maoist.&rdquo; What followed was an investigation into one of Kerala&rsquo;s boldest&nbsp;heists, which gripped the state.
This episode of Kerala Crime Files revisits the Chelembra bank robbery that stunned Kerala and rewrote the history of crime in the state.

Onmanorama's Kerala Crime Files is a gripping true crime series that takes you deep into Kerala’s most shocking real-life cases, straight from the 137-year-old archives of Malayala Manorama.
Listen to forgotten mysteries, chilling details, and untold stories.

Onmanorama's Kerala Crime Files is a gripping true crime series that takes you deep into Kerala&rsquo;s most shocking real-life cases, straight from the 137-year-old archives of Malayala Manorama. Listen to forgotten mysteries, chilling details, and untold stories.

Onmanorama's Kerala Crime Files Podcast

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Onmanorama Kerala Crime Files Podcast

Chelembra Bank Heist: A Robbery Unlike Any

He was not a criminal or a rebel—just a student whose name still echoes across Kerala. What happened to P Rajan inside the walls of the Kakkayam camp exposed a darkness deeper than crime itself.

During India’s Emergency, Rajan, a bright engineering student, was picked up, tortured, and vanished without a trace. The state claimed he had escaped, but his father, T V Eachara Warrier, refused to believe the lie.

His relentless pursuit of truth led to Kerala’s first habeas corpus case, forcing the police to admit what they had buried—Rajan had died in custody. The revelation shook the government, brought down a Chief Minister, and tore open the veil of power’s cruelty.

This episode of Kerala Crime Files revisits the Rajan case—a story of a father’s unyielding fight, a student’s silenced voice, and a democracy that momentarily forgot its conscience.

He was not a criminal or a rebel&mdash;just a student whose name still echoes across Kerala. What happened to P Rajan inside the walls of the Kakkayam camp exposed a darkness deeper than crime itself.
During India&rsquo;s Emergency, Rajan, a bright engineering student, was picked up, tortured, and vanished without a trace. The state claimed he had escaped, but his father, T V Eachara Warrier, refused to believe the lie.
His relentless pursuit of truth led to Kerala&rsquo;s first habeas corpus case, forcing the police to admit what they had buried&mdash;Rajan had died in custody. The revelation shook the government, brought down a Chief Minister, and tore open the veil of power&rsquo;s cruelty.
This episode of Kerala Crime Files revisits the Rajan case&mdash;a story of a father&rsquo;s unyielding fight, a student&rsquo;s silenced voice, and a democracy that momentarily forgot its conscience.

P Rajan: A Father’s Fight & State’s Shame

Seventeen-year-old Sophia left home for love, unaware that her new life would spiral into horror. Mohanan’s family, guided by a mysterious sorcerer, planned a human sacrifice—promising wealth and blessings at a deadly cost.

Sophia was brutally murdered, her fate hidden from the world. But whispers of her disappearance stirred suspicion, drawing the police closer. As the investigation unfolded, shocking confessions and horrifying evidence came to light.

This episode of Onmanorama’s Kerala Crime Files reveals a chilling tale of betrayal, ritual killing, and the terrifying grip of blind faith.

Seventeen-year-old Sophia left home for love, unaware that her new life would spiral into horror. Mohanan&rsquo;s family, guided by a mysterious sorcerer, planned a human sacrifice&mdash;promising wealth and blessings at a deadly cost.
Sophia was brutally murdered, her fate hidden from the world. But whispers of her disappearance stirred suspicion, drawing the police closer. As the investigation unfolded, shocking confessions and horrifying evidence came to light.
This episode of Onmanorama&rsquo;s Kerala Crime Files reveals a chilling tale of betrayal, ritual killing, and the terrifying grip of blind faith.

The Panamkutty murder of 1981: The human sacrifice that haunted Kerala

In 2022, the quiet village of Elanthoor in Pathanamthitta became the backdrop for one of Kerala’s most shocking crimes. Two women, Padmam and Rosly, went missing and were later found brutally murdered and buried near the home of healer Bhagaval Singh and his wife, Laila. 

The true architect was Muhammad Shafi, a repeat offender who manipulated the couple into believing human sacrifice would bring them wealth and protection. 

This episode of Onmanorama's Kerala Crime Files unravels how blind belief, desperation, and greed led to a ritual of unimaginable cruelty that scarred a once-celebrated village forever.

In 2022, the quiet village of Elanthoor in Pathanamthitta became the backdrop for one of Kerala&rsquo;s most shocking crimes. Two women, Padmam and Rosly, went missing and were later found brutally murdered and buried near the home of healer Bhagaval Singh and his wife, Laila.&nbsp;
The true architect was Muhammad Shafi, a repeat offender who manipulated the couple into believing human sacrifice would bring them wealth and protection.&nbsp;
This episode of Onmanorama's Kerala Crime Files unravels how blind belief, desperation, and greed led to a ritual of unimaginable cruelty that scarred a once-celebrated village forever.

Chelembra Bank Heist: A Robbery Unlike Any

Onmanorama's Kerala Crime Files Podcast

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Onmanorama Kerala Crime Files Podcast

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