Man confesses to second murder, 36 years after first

 

By Sumesh Rajan | 6 July 2025

Kozhikode, Kerala, INDIA: A month after confessing to a murder he committed in 1986 as a teenager, 52-year-old Muhammadali—also known as Antony Devasya—has now claimed responsibility for a second killing, allegedly carried out in 1989. Police have begun re-investigating the decades-old cases, but inconsistencies and the suspect's mental health history have added layers of complexity.

Muhammadali had first approached Vengara police in Malappuram district last month, confessing that he had accidentally killed a man in 1986 when he was just 14. According to his statement, the incident occurred in the Koodaranji area under Thiruvambady police station limits in Kozhikode. He alleged the man had tried to sexually harass him, and in self-defence, he kicked the man, who fell into a stream. Muhammadali claimed he panicked and fled the scene. When he returned two days later, the body was still in the water. Locals had assumed the death was due to natural causes, possibly linked to the victim’s reported epilepsy. With no one coming forward to identify the body, the case was closed.

A short news item from December 5, 1986, remains the only traceable documentation of the incident. It reads: "Koodaranji: Body of a young man found in a small stream behind Mission Hospital. Estimated age: 20."

Following his confession, police registered a murder case under IPC Section 302 and remanded Muhammadali to judicial custody. It was during further questioning in June that he disclosed involvement in a second murder, which he claimed occurred in 1989 at Vellayil Beach—then under Nadakkavu police station limits.

An officer from the now-reorganized Vellayil police station confirmed that an unidentified body had indeed been recovered from the beach area in 1989. However, the case had been marked “undetected” and closed. “We are currently trying to locate the old case files, but given that the incident took place nearly 36 years ago, it will take time to verify his claims,” said the officer.

In light of these developments, the Kozhikode City Police Commissioner has constituted a seven-member special investigation team to probe the 1989 murder.

Meanwhile, questions are being raised about Muhammadali’s mental condition. His brother, Paulose, told police that Muhammadali had suffered from psychiatric issues since childhood and had undergone treatment at multiple facilities, including Vijaya Hospital and Eranjipalam Medical College. “Even as a child, when he was in second standard, he would often wander aimlessly. After marrying twice—once in Wayanad and again after converting to Islam—he faced multiple personal tragedies, including the death of one son and a serious accident involving the other,” Paulose said.

Police sources indicate that these events may have triggered a psychological breakdown, leading to his confessions. Assistant Commissioner T.K. Ashraf and Circle Inspector Prajeesh, who are heading the probes in Thiruvambady and Koodaranji respectively, confirmed that the suspect’s mental health history is being taken into consideration during the investigation.

Efforts are underway to identify the victims in both cases, with officers revisiting archived police records and newspaper reports from the 1980s. However, the passage of time and lack of surviving documentation present significant hurdles.

For now, Muhammadali remains in judicial custody as the police delve deeper into the chilling claims that span nearly four decades.