Malappuram, Jan 16 || A 14-year-old girl was found murdered in Kerala's Malappuram on Friday, sparking widespread shock in the local community.
The body of the Class 9 student was discovered in a bushy area adjoining the railway track between Vaniyambalam and Thodiyapulath.
She had left home for school the previous day but did not return.
Police have taken a minor boy, reportedly her friend, into custody in connection with the case.
According to police, the girl got down from a bus at the Karuvarakundu school junction at around 9.30 a.m.
She was not seen thereafter.
Her body was later recovered in a bushy area at Pullippadam.
The girl’s hands were tied together, and she was still wearing her school uniform.