Kottayam: Four years after a couple from Kottayam was reported missing, the Crime Branch has decided to search a water-filled quarry at Muttam, near Mariyappally, on the outskirts of Kottayam town.

Work has begun to clean up the pond, that has been swamped by garbage and covered with algae. After clearing it, scuba divers of the fire force will scour the pond. It would take about a week to clean.

Arupara natives Hashim, 42, and Habiba, 37, went missing on April 6, 2017. The couple had left their home to buy food around dusk on a hartal day. Even after four years of investigation, no lead has been obtained. The last CCTV image of the car shows the vehicle taking a right after crossing the Illikkal Bridge.

The Crime Branch is investigating the case. Deputy Superintendent of Police S Sheriff and inspector Anoop Jose are in charge of the investigation, which is led by Superintendent of Police Sabu Mathew.

Skeleton of murder victim found in this pond

The skeleton of Changanassery native Mahadevan, a class six student, who was murdered in 1995 was found in this same pond. It took a week to drain the pond and unearth the skeleton 19 years after the crime.

Mahadevan, the son of Mathumoola native Vishwanathan Achari, was killed on September 8, 1995, by Harikumar, who was running a cycle repair shop next to his house, as per the case. The murder was reportedly committed for the 10-sovereign gold chain that belonged to Mahadevan. It was also revealed that Harikumar had killed his friend Sali who had helped him to commit the crime.

The bodies of both Mahadevan and Sali were dumped in the pond near his brother-in-law's house at Mariyappally, as per the statement given by Harikumar to the police.