18‑year‑old girl’s body found charred near Idukki dam, police arrest 19‑year‑old suspect

An 18‑year‑old girl from Bodinayakanur, Tamil Nadu, was found dead after her charred remains were recovered near the Pambla dam in Idukki, Kerala, police said. The body was discovered on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, in an isolated area close to the Kerala State Electricity Board quarters. Idukki District Police Chief A. Naseem said the victim had been in a relationship with 19‑year‑old Nishanth of Vattappara, near Rajakkad, after meeting on social media. The girl’s parents had lodged a complaint earlier, and both families had agreed to a marriage once Nishanth turned 21. On October 11, the girl called Nishanth from another phone and went to Poopara to discuss the marriage. An argument broke out, and Nishanth led her into a cardamom plantation, pushed her off an embankment, struck her with a stone and strangled her with a mobile‑phone charging cable. He later moved the body to Pambla, doused it in petrol and set it on fire. The victim’s family had filed a missing‑person report with Bodinayakanur police, prompting coordination between Tamil Nadu and Kerala police. The homicide was confirmed, and Nishanth was arrested within 12 hours. A post‑mortem was conducted and the final rites were performed in Kerala. ## Context The case highlights how quickly inter‑state police cooperation can lead to an arrest in violent crimes, and it underscores the dangers of unresolved disputes in young relationships.