The Aluva police in Ernakulam district, Kerala, have taken a man into custody for the suspected murder of a woman by strangulating her using her shawl in a lodge shortly after Sunday (July 20, 2025) midnight.

The accused, identified as Binu, 37, a truck driver from Neriamangalam, reportedly made a video call to his friends and exhibited the body of the woman who he claimed to have murdered. One of those friends alerted the Aluva police on Monday (July 21, 2025), around 1 a.m.

The deceased was identified as Akhila, 34, of Kundara in Kollam district, who was working as a warden in a ladies’ hostel at Vazhakkulam along the eastern suburbs of Ernakulam district.

The police who rushed to the lodge near Pump Junction in Aluva Town along the railway station road found the body in a room on the third floor. Reportedly, Binu was sitting next to the body in an inebriated state. The inquest proceedings are under way.

As per initial reports, the two used to visit the lodge. They checked in on Sunday evening. Reportedly, an argument erupted after the victim demanded that the accused marry her.

The police are yet to collect more details as the accused remains under the influence of alcohol. They plan to interrogate him once sober.

The police are likely to register a case of murder.