Alappuzha (Kerala) : A woman accused, who has been absconding in a housewife murder case, was finally arrested after 27 years of her conviction. The case was related to the murder of a housewife named Mariamma (61) in Mavelikara Alappuzha district, Kerala. Mavelikkara police arrested the accused Reji on Sunday. She was living in Pothanikkad Pallarimangalam panchayat of Ernakulam district under the false name of Mini Raju.
The murder took place on February 21, 1990. Mariamma was found murdered inside the house. The cause of death was a deep cut on the neck of Mariamma with a knife used in the kitchen. The suspect who stole Mariamma's gold chain cut off the ear and removed the ring. Mariamma was stabbed nine times.
At first, no one believed that Reji, who was a servant of Mariamma as well as considered her own daughter, had committed the murder. Reji was arrested during the subsequent investigation. In 1993, the Mavelikkara Additional District Sessions Court acquitted Reji, giving the benefit of the doubt. Then on 11 September 1996, the High Court sentenced her to life imprisonment in an appeal filed by the prosecution.