Even the dead not spared: Granite slab thefts shock Kerala town

Even the dead not spared: Granite slab thefts shock Kerala town

Mangalore Today News Network

Pathanamthitta, Jul 29, 2026: Two back-to-back thefts of granite slabs from graves at church cemeteries in Kerala’s Mallappally have shocked residents, with the incidents leaving families distressed and police searching for clues.

The latest theft was reported at the cemetery of the Mar Thoma Church in Mallappally, where the granite slab covering the grave of a member of the Thaikootathil family was found missing. Church authorities have lodged a complaint with the police.

The incident occurred less than 24 hours after a similar theft at the Mar Thoma Church cemetery in Mankuzhipady, where a large granite slab covering the grave of the Thannickal family was stolen. Police have registered cases in both incidents and launched an investigation.

According to the complaint, the stolen granite slab at the Mallappally cemetery measured approximately six feet in length and three feet in width. The theft came to light when family members and churchgoers arrived at the cemetery for prayers.

While the stolen granite has commercial value, residents said the thefts have caused far greater emotional distress by desecrating the resting places of the deceased.

Investigators believe the thefts were carried out by more than one person, as the heavy granite slabs could not have been removed without assistance. Police suspect the involvement of a group that used a vehicle to transport the stolen slabs.

Another aspect under investigation is that both cemeteries lacked CCTV surveillance, leading police to believe the locations may have been deliberately targeted.

No suspects have been identified so far, and police are examining whether the two thefts are linked as part of an organised operation targeting granite memorials in cemeteries.

The incidents have left the local community deeply disturbed, with many questioning why graves—symbols of remembrance, faith and dignity—have become targets of theft.