How AI and a Wedding Photo Solved Kerala’s 19-Year-Old Triple Murder Mystery
In february 2006, the quiet town of Anchal in Kerala’s Kollam district was shaken by a horrifying crime. A young mother, Ranjini, and her 17-day-old twin daughters where found brutally murdered in their home. their throats had been slit, and the scene was one of unimaginable tragedy. For nearly two decades, the case remained unsolved—until the Kerala police, armed with cutting-edge AI technology, cracked the chilling mystery.
The Crime That Shocked Kerala
Ranjini and Divil Kumar, both residents of the same village, had been in a relationship. Though, when Ranjini became pregnant, Divil distanced himself and relocated to Pathankot, where he was stationed as an army personnel. After Ranjini gave birth to twin daughters in January 2006, Rajesh, posing as ‘Anil Kumar,’ befriended her and offered support. Unbeknownst to Ranjini, Rajesh and Divil, former army colleagues, were conspiring to murder her.
Resolute to hold Divil accountable, Ranjini secured an order from the State Women’s Commission, compelling him to undergo a DNA test to prove his paternity. This move sealed her fate. Rajesh convinced Ranjini’s mother to visit the local panchayat office,leaving her daughter and grandchildren vulnerable. In her absence, the duo carried out the gruesome murders.
The police quickly identified Divil and Rajesh as suspects, but the two had already fled. A two-wheeler registration number found at the crime scene led investigators to a military camp in Pathankot, but the trail went cold.
The Breakthrough: AI and a Wedding Photo
For 19 years, the case remained unresolved. Then, in 2023, the Technical Intelligence Wing of the Kerala police turned to AI to re-examine cold cases. Using advanced facial recognition technology, they enhanced old photographs of Divil and Rajesh to estimate how they might look after nearly two decades. These AI-generated images were then compared against social media profiles.
The breakthrough came when a wedding photo surfaced, bearing a 90% similarity to Rajesh. Located in Puducherry, Rajesh had adopted a new identity and was living as Vishnu Kumar. With his help, the police traced Divil, who was also living under a false identity as Praveen Kumar. Both men were working as interior designers, having built new lives far from their past.
On January 4, 2025, the CBI arrested the duo in Puducherry,bringing closure to a case that had haunted Kerala for nearly two decades.
The Role of AI in Modern crime Solving
This case highlights the transformative power of AI in criminal investigations.By leveraging open-source intelligence and advanced facial recognition tools, the Kerala police were able to crack a case that had stumped investigators for years.
| Key Details of the Case |
|—————————–|
| victims | Ranjini and her 17-day-old twin daughters |
| Year of Crime | 2006 |
| Suspects | Divil Kumar and Rajesh |
| Breakthrough Tool | AI-powered facial recognition |
| arrest Date | January 4, 2025 |
| Location of Arrest | Puducherry |
A Testament to Perseverance and Technology
The resolution of this case is a testament to the perseverance of the Kerala police and the potential of AI in solving cold cases. It also serves as a reminder that justice, though delayed, can still be served.
As technology continues to evolve, its role in law enforcement will only grow, offering hope for solving even the most challenging cases. For now,the people of Kerala can take solace in knowing that Ranjini and her daughters have finally received the justice they deserved.
what are your thoughts on the use of AI in criminal investigations? Share your views in the comments below.
How AI adn a Wedding Photo Solved Kerala’s 19-Year-Old Triple Murder Mystery
In february 2006, the quiet town of anchal in Kerala’s Kollam district was shaken by a horrifying crime. A young mother, Ranjini, and her 17-day-old twin daughters were found brutally murdered in their home. Their throats had been slit,and the scene was one of unimaginable tragedy. For nearly two decades, the case remained unsolved—until the Kerala police, armed with cutting-edge AI technology, cracked the chilling mystery. This interview explores the breakthrough and the role of AI in modern crime-solving with dr. Arjun Menon, a forensic technology expert and consultant for law enforcement agencies across India.
The Crime That Shocked Kerala
Senior Editor: Dr. Menon,the 2006 triple murder case in Kerala was one of the most gruesome crimes in the state’s history. Can you provide some context on how the case unfolded?
Dr. Arjun Menon: Certainly.The case involved Ranjini, a young mother, and her twin daughters, who were murdered in their home. The suspects, divil Kumar and Rajesh, were former army colleagues who had conspired to kill Ranjini after she sought a DNA test to establish paternity. The crime was meticulously planned, and the suspects fled immediately after, leaving investigators with few leads. For 19 years, the case remained unresolved, until a breakthrough involving AI and a wedding photo brought justice to the victims.
The Breakthrough: AI and a Wedding Photo
Senior Editor: The turning point in this case was the use of AI. Can you explain how this technology played a pivotal role?
Dr. Arjun Menon: Absolutely. The Kerala police’s Technical Intelligence Wing used advanced facial recognition technology to enhance old photographs of the suspects and generate age-progressed images.These images were then compared against social media profiles. the breakthrough came when a wedding photo surfaced, bearing a 90% similarity to Rajesh, who had adopted a new identity as Vishnu Kumar. This led investigators to Puducherry, where both suspects were living under false identities. without AI, this case might have remained unsolved.
The Role of AI in Modern Crime Solving
Senior Editor: This case highlights the transformative power of AI in criminal investigations. How do you see AI shaping the future of law enforcement?
Dr. Arjun Menon: AI has immense potential in solving cold cases and preventing crimes. Technologies like facial recognition, predictive analytics, and natural language processing enable law enforcement agencies to analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately. In this case, AI bridged the gap between past and present, identifying suspects who had successfully evaded capture for years. As AI continues to evolve, it will become an indispensable tool for solving even the most challenging cases.
A Testament to Perseverance and Technology
Senior Editor: This case took nearly two decades to solve. What does its resolution tell us about the importance of perseverance and technology in law enforcement?
Dr. Arjun Menon: It’s a powerful reminder that justice, though delayed, can still be served. The Kerala police’s determination to solve this case, combined with the strategic use of AI, showcases the synergy between human effort and technological innovation.This case also underscores the need for continued investment in forensic technology and training for law enforcement personnel. With the right tools and perseverance, even the coldest cases can be cracked.
Final Thoughts
Senior Editor: What would you say to those who are skeptical about the use of AI in criminal investigations?
Dr. Arjun Menon: Skepticism is natural when dealing with new technologies, but the results speak for themselves. AI is not a replacement for human judgment but a powerful tool that enhances our capabilities. It’s crucial to use AI responsibly, with proper oversight and ethical considerations. As we’ve seen in this case, when used correctly, AI can bring justice to victims and closure to their families.
