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.

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

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

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

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.

Elanthoor Human Sacrifice Murders: Stolen lives, & Faith Drenched in Violence

She was just 27, weighing barely twenty-one kilos when death claimed her. But this was no illness. It was murder—by slow starvation.

For six years, Tushara was silenced, cut off from her family, and trapped inside a home ruled by dowry demands, cruelty, and occult rituals. 

Her husband Chandulal and mother-in-law Geetha Lal orchestrated every step of her isolation, until her emaciated body told the truth. In 2025, a Kollam court called it India’s first starvation murder. 

This episode of Kerala Crime Files traces a chilling story of control, secrecy, and justice delivered—too late for Tushara.

She was just 27, weighing barely twenty-one kilos when death claimed her. But this was no illness. It was murder&mdash;by slow starvation.
For six years, Tushara was silenced, cut off from her family, and trapped inside a home ruled by dowry demands, cruelty, and occult rituals.&nbsp;
Her husband Chandulal and mother-in-law Geetha Lal orchestrated every step of her isolation, until her emaciated body told the truth. In 2025, a Kollam court called it India&rsquo;s first starvation murder.&nbsp;
This episode of Kerala Crime Files traces a chilling story of control, secrecy, and justice delivered&mdash;too late for Tushara.

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

Onmanorama's Kerala Crime Files Podcast

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Onmanorama Kerala Crime Files Podcast

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