Bodies of young lovers, with hands tied together, wash ashore in Kochi

The deceased have been identified as Layana (18) from Thrippunithura and Sandeep (24) from Thevara The two were in a relationship for some time now but both families were against it The police consider it as a case of suicide, though they are probing other angles as well Sandeep was working as a model in Kochi, while Layana was doing her beautician course  

The bodies of a young couple, with their hands tied together, washed up on the shores of Fort Kochi on Sunday evening. 

The deceased have been identified as Layana (18) from Thrippunithura and Sandeep (24) from Thevara. When the bodies were found, Layana's left hand was tied to Sandeep's right. The police consider it as a case of suicide, though they are probing other angles as well. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem.

Sandeep was working as a model in Kochi, while Layana was doing her beautician course. The two were in a relationship for some time now. However, both families were against it, and the strong opposition is understood to have made the youths take the extreme step.

Earlier on Sunday, locals informed the police about two bodies washing ashore. During the investigation, the cops found out that two youngsters were reported to be missing from Thrippunithura and Thevara. Both familes were then called to identify the bodies.

Layana's family had filed a missing complaint at the Thrippunithura Hill Palace police station on May 12. Sandeep was found to be missing the next day.