The Kerala Police has achieved a significant breakthrough in solving a 19-year-old triple murder case using artificial intelligence (AI). The case involved the murder of a woman, Ranjini, and her 17-day-old twin daughters in January 2006 in Alayamon, Kollam.
Last week, two former armymen, Divil Kumar (42) and Rajesh (48), were arrested in Puducherry, where they had been living under false identities for nearly two decades. Divil was using the name Vishnu, and Rajesh had adopted the identity of Praveen Kumar. Both were working as interior designers and married to schoolteachers. The arrests were facilitated by a joint effort between Kerala Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
How AI Helped Crack the Case
The investigation gained momentum when the Kerala Police’s technical intelligence team used AI to revisit the case. ADGP Manoj Abraham explained:
“Old photographs of the suspects were digitally aged using AI to predict their current appearances, including changes in hairstyles and facial features. The AI-generated images were cross-referenced with social media platforms, leading to a 90% match with a wedding photograph on Facebook. This critical clue identified Rajesh, who subsequently led us to Divil.”
The arrests were carried out by the CBI’s Chennai unit since the case had been transferred to their jurisdiction.
Background of the Crime
In 2006, Ranjini and Divil, who were neighbors, were in a relationship. When Ranjini became pregnant, their relationship soured, and Divil returned to his Army post in Pathankot. After giving birth to twin daughters, Ranjini decided to keep the babies, which led Divil to conspire with his colleague Rajesh to commit the murders.
Rajesh posed as “Anil Kumar,” a man from Kollam, to befriend Ranjini. On the day of the crime, Ranjini’s mother returned from the panchayat office, where she had gone to collect the twins’ birth certificates, only to find Ranjini and her newborn daughters dead.
Significance of the Arrest
This case highlights the transformative role of AI in law enforcement, especially in long-pending investigations. Manoj Abraham remarked on the rarity of AI being used to solve such an old case, praising the persistence of the technical team. The arrests bring long-awaited justice to the victims and showcase how technology and determination can work together to solve even the most challenging cases.
